Israel Secures Agreements to Enhance Local Arms Manufacturing
Click to start listening
Jerusalem, Jan 7 (NationPress) Israel's defense ministry declared on Tuesday that it has finalized contracts totaling around 1 billion shekels (276 million US dollars) with the defense contractor Elbit Systems to ramp up domestic arms manufacturing amid the persistent conflict in Gaza.
The agreements encompass the provision of thousands of heavy air munitions and the creation of a national facility dedicated to producing raw materials for the defense sector, which have largely been imported in the past.
This initiative is part of Israel's strategy to lessen its dependence on international military supplies, especially from the United States, which had postponed certain bomb shipments last year due to concerns over their deployment in densely populated regions.
According to military statistics reported by the Xinhua news agency, Israel's air force has utilized over 83,000 munitions in airstrikes since the escalation of hostilities.
Defence Ministry Director General Eyal Zamir stated, "This is a central lesson from the war that will enable the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) to maintain powerful operations across all fronts."
The establishment of the new raw materials facility aims to bolster domestic manufacturing autonomy during a period when several Western nations have voiced concerns about arms shipments to Israel amid the Gaza conflict.
The ministry highlighted that these agreements will not only enhance the military's operational effectiveness but also stimulate the local economy through expanded production capacities.
In the wake of a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which claimed around 1200 lives in Israel, the nation initiated a significant offensive in Gaza. The subsequent Israeli military actions have led to thousands of casualties in the besieged enclave, as reported by health authorities in Gaza. The conflict has also seen Israel engaged in confrontations with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and directly with Iran.
