“Israel” arms exports hit all time high in 2024

“Israel's” defence ministry said Wednesday that its arms exports hit an all-time high of more than USD 14.7 billion in 2024, with a sharp rise in deals with Arab Gulf states, despite international criticism of “Israel's” ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

"Israel again reached an all-time peak in defence exports in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive record-breaking year in the scope of defence agreements," the ministry, which oversees and approves the exports of “Israel's” defence industries, said in a statement.

More than half (56.8%) of the agreements signed were considered “major deals,” each valued at over $100 million, the ministry noted.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza aggression, the ministry said it has operated in “emergency mode,” with continuous around-the-clock production for the “Israeli” military while also maintaining manufacturing for international clients.

The ministry attributed the spike in international demand to “Israel’s” battlefield performance. “Operational achievements in the war and proven system performance on the battlefield led to a significant increase in global demand for Israeli defense technology,” the statement said, calling 2024 a “record year” for exports.

Demand for missiles, rockets, and air defense systems reached a “significant new stage,” accounting for nearly 48% of total exports; up from 36% in 2023.

Satellite and space system exports also surged, making up 8% of deals in 2024, compared to just 2% the previous year.

More than half of the exports went to European countries.

Meanwhile, arms sales to countries that signed normalization deals with “Israel” under the Abraham Accords; the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, rose sharply from 3% in 2023 to 12% in 2024.

“During a difficult and complex year of war, Israel set a new record in defense exports,” said “Israeli” Defense Minister Israel Katz. “The world sees Israel’s strength and wants to be a partner.”