Israel Advances In-House Weapons Production With Two Major Deals

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – In an effort to become less reliant on the United States and other nations for heavy weapons, Israel has signed two major arms deals with Israeli munitions company Elbit Systems totaling $275 million, i24News reports.

The deal was signed by Defense Ministry Director General Major General Eyal Zamir and Elbit CEO Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis on Tuesday, i24News said.

“Western countries have made moves over the past year against supplying Israel with weapons and munitions, most notably Canada and the UK. Even the US, long considered Israel’s closest ally, has conditioned military aid on Israel’s conduct,” i24News noted in its report.

Elbit Systems has committed to producing thousands of heavy air munitions in the first deal and to setting up a raw material factory to produce munitions in the second deal.

“Today, we are laying the foundations for expanding manufacturing independence in two critical areas for the IDF’s operational sustainability – domestic production of heavy air munitions and establishing a national raw materials plant,” Zamir said in a statement.

“Both agreements will ensure sovereign capability in producing bombs and munitions of all types. We initiated this historic move before the war but accelerated it during it. Under both agreements, initial capabilities will soon gradually expand until we achieve full independence in both areas. This is a central lesson from the war that will enable the IDF to continue operating powerfully in all theaters,” Zamir added.

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