The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday the signing of two significant defense agreements with Elbit Systems, valued at approximately 1 billion shekels (around $270 million). The deals, described as strategic cornerstones for Israel’s defense readiness, aim to enhance the IDF’s operational endurance and long-term capabilities.
The agreements were formally signed during a ceremony attended by Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir, the ministry’s Director General, and Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems. Senior defense and industry officials were also present.
?BREAKING: NEW BATCH OF AIDE FROM THE US.
Washington readies thousands of bombs for Israel despite ‘push for truce’
The White House is preparing a package worth ‘tens of millions of dollars’ of MK-82 bombs, KMU-572 JDAMs, and FMU-139 bomb fuses pic.twitter.com/v7LD9qfpgO
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) February 18, 2024
Since October 7, 2023, the United States has approved and facilitated more than one hundred arms sales to Israel, according to a report published by The Washington Post. Yet, as the war in Gaza continues and international criticism over humanitarian aid intensifies, Washington has increasingly tied its military support to Israel’s efforts to accelerate and expand aid deliveries to the besieged territory.
By March of this year, following sustained threats by the United States to withhold the delivery of crucial military equipment, Israel was forced to open a direct humanitarian corridor to northern Gaza, a move that allowed Hamas to rob the delivery trucks and reestablish itself in the Strip.
Roughly two months ago, the Biden administration signaled its willingness to withhold certain arms transfers unless Israel took concrete steps to address the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and ensure sufficient aid reached civilians. The warning was delivered amid growing concerns within the administration that Israel might not be fully adhering to its obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly in northern Gaza.
In November 2024, the U.S. Senate debated legislative proposals spearheaded by Senator Bernie Sanders that sought to impose restrictions on arms sales to Israel. The measures, divided into three separate initiatives, ultimately failed to pass.
? 750,000 pieces of ammunition weighing 30,000 tons.
Video of the week. pic.twitter.com/KuuqYIpj6y— Maria Drutska ?? (@maria_drutska) September 22, 2024
Under the first agreement, Elbit Systems will supply thousands of heavy aerial munitions to the Ministry of Defense, bolstering the IDF’s airstrike capabilities. The deal, overseen by the Defense Procurement Directorate, comes amid ongoing regional tensions and reflects lessons drawn from Israel’s recent military campaigns.
The second agreement focuses on establishing a national facility for producing critical raw materials previously sourced primarily from overseas. Managed by the ministry’s Planning Department and the Directorate of Defense Research and Development, the plant will feature advanced production lines for energetic materials essential to Israel’s defense manufacturing sector.
Defense officials emphasized that the agreements represent a significant step toward greater manufacturing self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on foreign suppliers. The move aligns with the government’s ‘Blue and White’ policy, which promotes domestic production and technological independence.
“These agreements lay the foundation for Israel’s sovereign capability in producing essential munitions and raw materials,” said Maj. Gen. Zamir. “While these projects began before the war, they were significantly accelerated during the conflict. Achieving self-reliance in these domains will ensure Israel can sustain military operations across multiple fronts.”
Elbit Systems CEO Bezalel Machlis echoed this sentiment, stating, “Elbit Systems is proud to play a key role in advancing Israel’s defense self-sufficiency. Our partnership with the Ministry of Defense not only strengthens national security but also supports economic growth and creates thousands of jobs across the country.”
The agreements are expected to reinforce Israel’s defense industry, expand domestic manufacturing capacity, and secure a steady supply of critical materials and munitions for the IDF’s current and future operational needs.
