Analysis
Israel posts record $14.7B in defense deals as European demand soars: What to know
European customers are largely behind the jump in Israeli weapons sales, and one expert said concerns over Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza appears to have had only a limited effect on Europe’s demand for Israeli weapons.
Israel’s defense exports hit a record high in 2024, driven by rising demand from European countries despite growing criticism over the Gaza war and efforts from some states on the continent to reduce dependence on Israel.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Wednesday that defense entities secured $14.795 billion in new contracts in 2024, 13% more than the previous year. There was “significant growth” in contracts with European countries, the ministry said, and European customers accounted for 54% of the deals in 2024, compared with 35% in 2023. The overall regional breakdown for Israel’s customers was as follows:
Europe 54%
Asia and the Pacific Region 23%
