Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Political aide to the governor of Gilan Province in northern Iran: Air defenses in Rasht shot down a small hostile drone flying over the city
Israeli media: The presence of General Qaani at the “victory celebrations” in Tehran puts an end to the rumors and earlier reports claiming he had been assassinated
Israeli media: There is division within the US administration itself over the extent of what the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities actually achieved
Israeli media: US intelligence also says Iran’s centrifuges remained largely intact
Israeli media: Netanyahu and Trump celebrated too soon, as US intelligence says Iran’s uranium stockpile was not damaged
Israeli Channel 13: The objectives set by Netanyahu for the operation against Iran have not been achieved
Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites, CNN reports, citing sources
Israeli media platform: An additional soldier has been confirmed killed in the serious incident in Gaza, who had previously been considered "missing" for some time
Pezeshkian: History will not forget how Iran’s enemies broke their pledges and agreements, resorting to aggression and invasion even during negotiations
Israeli media: Between 14 and 16 soldiers were injured in the incident, which reportedly involved two separate units at the brigade and division level

'Israel' breaks arms export records in 2024 amid ongoing war on Gaza

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: New York Times
  • 5 Jun 2025 20:19
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

In 2024, "Israel" reached a record $14.8 billion in arms exports in a surge that highlights its growing role in the European arms market and continued reliance on US military support.

Listen
  • x
  • Israeli soldiers take position next to an armoured vehicle during a raid in the West Bank city of Nablus, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (AP)
    Israeli soldiers take position next to an armoured vehicle during a raid in the West Bank city of Nablus, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (AP)

Despite waging its longest and most expansive war, "Israel" reported record-high arms exports in 2024. Government officials announced on Wednesday, as reported by the New York Times, that arms deals signed last year amounted to nearly $14.8 billion, surpassing the previous record of $13 billion in 2023, according to figures released by the Israeli Ministry of Security.

These figures highlight the rapid wartime increase in arms production and "Israel’s" push to tap new markets, particularly in Europe, where demand for military hardware is rising amid concerns over Russian military activity. The growth in arms exports has provided a rare economic boost to a domestic economy otherwise strained by war.

Europe becomes top buyer 

Over half of "Israel’s" military exports in 2024, about 54%, were directed to European countries. Many of these nations are seeking to replenish their weapon stockpiles and enhance their defense capabilities due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and growing doubts about the reliability of the US as a long-term security partner.

Boaz Levy, CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries, stated in a recent interview that "there is a real need in the world, this conflict in Israel is not the only one."

However, the intensifying war in Gaza and regional aggression, including on Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Yemen, have led some European nations to reconsider their arms deals with "Israel". On Tuesday, Spain’s Ministry of Defense canceled a $325 million anti-tank missile contract, citing a "gradual disengagement from Israeli technology."

The UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, all signatories of the 2020 so-called Abraham Accords, have sharply increased their arms purchases, now accounting for 12% of total regional imports, up from just 3% in 2023.

Related News

Pentagon employee charged with unlawfully retaining classified docs

US sent messages to Tehran requesting ceasefire: Iranian Deputy FM

US military aid remains critical to 'Israel'

In parallel to its arms exports, "Israel" received at least $17.9 billion in military aid, including weapons, from the US in the 12 months following October 7, 2023. Experts noted this figure is a conservative estimate, yet underscores "Israel’s" deep dependence on US military support.

Although "Israel’s" arms exports are modest compared to the US, whose foreign military sales reached at least $200 billion in the 2023 fiscal year, they represent a strategic economic pillar. Nearly 48% of the exports were comprised of missiles, rockets, and air defense systems, although specific deal breakdowns were not disclosed.

Zain Hussein, an arms transfers researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, said "Israel" has relied “heavily” on US military assistance, which has helped ease the pressure on its domestic weapons industry.

Rising concerns over sustainability

In 2014, "Israel" adopted a strategy to keep its weapons assembly lines operating at a low pace during peacetime, allowing for rapid scaling when needed. According to NYT, this policy paid off after October 2023, helping "Israel" avoid the supply chain disruptions that have plagued Western arms manufacturers since the start of the war in Ukraine.

However, prolonged fighting has depleted "Israel’s" reserves of key security systems. Analysts at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California reported that by October 2024, at least 30 Iranian ballistic missiles struck southern parts of "Israel" without interception, an indication that its missile defense stocks had run out. The US responded by dispatching a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system within days.

Despite these challenges, "Israel" continued to export air defense systems to European clients. Germany is set to receive Arrow missile batteries, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles, under a $4.3 billion deal signed in September 2023. This remains the largest foreign defense deal in "Israel’s" history.

While some of the weapons sold abroad may differ in configuration from those used by the Israeli military, experts warn that pulling back from foreign markets could risk both economic and diplomatic setbacks.

Bradley Bowman, a military expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, noted that the long production timelines for some systems mean they would not be immediately available for "Israel’s" own use.

Read more: US lawmakers renew calls for 'Israel' arms embargo

  • United States
  • Weapons to Israel
  • war on Gaza
  • weapons exports
  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation
  • military aid

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
'Israel's' medical supply ban to Gaza threatens newborns' lives
Health

Gaza's newborns at risk as 'Israel' blocks baby formula, supplies

Tehran
MENA

Thousands rally in Tehran in support of Iranian Armed Forces

FT
Palestine

UK’s Co-op halts sales of Israeli carrots over rights violations

Israeli security forces inspect the site struck by an Iranian missile strike that killed several people, in Beer al-Sabe', Occupied Palestine, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

In numbers: Iran's True Promise 3 devastates 'Israel' in 12 days

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS