This milestone was announced by the Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir, and the Director of the IMOD International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas. The figures revealed that Israeli defense exports reached a record $13.073 billion in 2023, marking the third consecutive year of record-breaking defense agreements.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised the achievement, stating, “Israel continues to excel in international cooperation and industrial defense exports, even amid a year marked by conflict. This success reflects the capabilities and innovation of our industries and our people. Our primary focus is equipping our defense establishment to protect our citizens, but we also actively pursue international cooperation and exports.”
The substantial increase in defense exports highlights Israel’s commitment to strengthening security-strategic relationships globally. The Ministry of Defense has prioritized expanding exports to new markets, removing bureaucratic barriers, and reducing regulations. These efforts align with the Defense Export Control Agency (DECA) regulations and international conventions.
The year 2023 ended on a high note with record-breaking export deals, emphasizing the Israeli defense industry’s dedication to international clients. The export of missile and rocket air defense systems, in particular, reached a significant milestone, constituting 36% of the total deal volume, up from 19% in 2022.
Other notable defense export sectors in 2023 included radar and electronic warfare systems (11%), weapon stations and launchers (11%), manned aircraft and avionics (9%), and ammunition and armaments (8%).
Geographically, the Asia and Pacific region emerged as the largest market for Israeli defense exports, accounting for 48% of the total exports. Europe followed with 35%, North America with 9%, Latin America with 4%, Abraham Accords countries with 3%, and Africa with 1%.
The financial distribution of agreements also showcased significant diversity, with 40% of the deals valued over $100 million, 17% between $50-100 million, 23% up to $50 million, and 20% up to $10 million.
Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir emphasized the global recognition of Israeli defense systems, particularly in air defense, noting their critical role in protecting civilians. He highlighted the Ministry of Defense’s investment of tens of billions of dollars in domestic procurement since the onset of the war, which is expected to further boost global defense exports.
Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas highlighted the significant expansion of production lines to meet the rising global demand from defense ministries and military forces. “These achievements showcase our industry’s capabilities and the effectiveness of our technological and operational advancements across air, sea, and land domains,” he stated.
The record-breaking figures for 2023 underscore the robust growth and strategic importance of Israeli defense exports, positioning Israel as a key player in the global defense industry.–News Desk