Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz commented that this was a ‘direct result’ of the offensives against Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon; more than half of the shipments went to European countries
He exported more weapons and defense equipment than ever in 2024, totaling $ 14.795 billion, the country’s Ministry of Defense announced in a statement on Wednesday (4). The value is 13% higher than that reached in 2023 and marks the fourth year consecutive in which the country’s arms industry has an export record, the statement added. More than half of the remittances went to European countries, detailed the folder. In fact, the percentage of exports to Europe increased from 35% by 2023 to 54% of the total. “Notably, the export of missiles, rockets and air defense systems reached a new significant milestone, representing 48% of the total business volume, compared to 36% in 2023,” the report says.
Satellite exports and space systems have also grown (8%). Drones and unmanned aircraft were responsible for 1% of total exports. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz commented that this was a “direct result” of the offensives against Hamas in Gaza, the no, the hethis in Yemen and the Ayatollah regime in Iran, as “the world recognizes the strength of Israel and seeks to be its ally.” Already in November 2024, Israel announced that weapon sales and defense material since the beginning of the offensive against the Gaza Strip in October 2023 reached a record.
The announcement was made after the Spanish Ministry of Defense ordered the license of an Israeli company to manufacture 168 Spike LR2 anti -Tank Systems in Spain to equip the army. The purchase and sale of weapons with Israel is at the center of the Spanish political debate, as the government insists that, since October 7, 2023, the day of the Hamas attack, no operation has been authorized. However, a report from the Peace Study Center, based on Arms Trade Databases, revealed in May that Spain imported 36.7 million euros on weapons, tanks and other Israeli war materials since the beginning of the offensive in Gaza.
*With information from EFE
Posted by Sarah Paula
