Tel Aviv: Israel MOD has announced that Israel’s all-time defence export record has been broken for the fourth consecutive year, with over $14.7 billion in 2024 – a 13% increase over the previous year. More than half of the deals were valued at over $100 million. Over 50% of the deals were with European countries.
Defence exports have more than doubled over the past five years.
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. Throughout the year, Israel’s various defence industries signed hundreds of significant defence contracts worldwide with the help and support of the IMOD, including over half of these deals (56.8%) being mega-deals, valued at least $100 million each.
Since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, the IMOD and defence industries have operated in emergency mode, mobilising for the war effort with round-the-clock IDF production while maintaining foreign client manufacturing. The war’s operational achievements and the proven battlefield performance of Israeli systems have driven strong international demand for Israeli defence technology, concluding 2024 on a remarkably high note with record-breaking export deals.
Notably, the export of missiles, rockets, and air defence systems reached a new significant milestone, accounting for 48% of the total deal volume, up from 36% in 2023. Similarly, satellite and space systems exports saw substantial growth, representing 8% of deals in 2024 compared to 2% in 2023. Additionally, there was significant growth in contracts with European countries, which accounted for 54% of the total deal volume in 2024, compared to 35% in 2023.
Significant tiers of defence exports include: Missile, rocket, and air defence systems (48%), vehicles and APCs (9%), satellites and space systems (8%), radar and EW (8%), manned aircraft and avionics (8%), observation and optronics (6%), intelligence, information and cyber systems (4%), ammunition and armaments (3%), weapon stations and launchers (2%), C4I and communication systems (2%), drones and UAVs (1%), and maritime systems and platforms (1%).
Defence export data by geographic distribution: Europe (54%), Asia and the Pacific Region (23%), Abraham Accords countries (12%), North America (9%), Latin America (1%), and Africa (1%).
Distribution of agreements by financial scope: Agreements over $100 million (56.8%), agreements between $50-100 million (9.5%), agreements between $10-50 million (16.3%), and agreements up to $10 million (17.4%).
Defence Minister, Israel Katz commented, “Precisely during a difficult and complex year of war, Israel has broken an all-time record in defence exports – $15 billion. This tremendous achievement is a direct result of the successes of the IDF and defence industries against Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, the Ayatollah regime in Iran, and in additional arenas where we operate against Israel’s enemies. The world sees Israeli strength and seeks to be a partner in it. We will continue strengthening the IDF and the Israeli economy through security innovation to ensure clear superiority against any threat – anywhere and anytime.”
IMOD Director General, Maj Gen (Res.) Amir Baram, stated, “The new record in Israeli defence exports, achieved during a year of war, reflects more than anything else the growing global appreciation for Israeli technology’s proven capabilities. Israeli systems have resonated throughout the Middle East this past year. More nations want to protect their citizens using Israeli defence equipment.”
Head of SIBAT, Brig Gen (Res.) Yair Kulas, said, “For the fourth consecutive year, we’re witnessing record-breaking Israeli defence exports, with 2024 reaching an all-time high of over $14.7 billion. These impressive results stem from an innovative, creative, and pioneering defence industry, producing cutting-edge systems across air, land, intelligence, and naval domains. This export volume reinforces Israel’s position as a leading defence-technology powerhouse and demonstrates the superior quality of Israeli systems and international confidence in their proven battlefield capabilities.”
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
