Armament independence: Israel to establish production lines for smart bombs | First publication
The dispute: Benjamin Netanyahu approved a budget of 40 billion shekels, but the Ministry of Finance refuses to transfer it. The Ministry of Defense warns: we are losing a precious year of procurement.
The Ministry of Defense will open production lines for smart bombs for the Air Force. The move is intended to create armament independence in light of the tension with Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the transfer of 40 billion shekels for procurement, but the Ministry of Finance refuses to transfer all the funds approved for the defense establishment. The Ministry of Defense claims that the delay leads to the loss of a precious year of procurement.
The defense establishment and defense industries will open new production lines for precision munitions and new J-DAM smart bombs for the Israeli Air Force, as reported this evening (Wednesday) in the main news edition. This step marks an acceleration in the IDF's force buildup to create armament independence and reduce reliance on external factors for the backbone of the Air Force.
The decision was made against the backdrop of the changing security reality. The IDF seeks to complete preparations in light of growing tension between the United States and Iran, and the possibility that Israel will be required to act soon. Beyond producing bombs for the Air Force, Israel is also expanding production lines for the Arrow interceptors.
The budget dispute
Despite the strategic decision, the procurement effort is encountering significant budgetary difficulties. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the transfer of 15 billion shekels for this purpose immediately, and another 25 billion shekels by the end of the year, but the defense establishment claims that the Ministry of Finance refuses to actually transfer the funds.
Sources within the defense establishment criticize the Ministry of Finance's methods, stating that they first under-budget the defense establishment and then blame it for lack of management. According to the Ministry of Defense, this refusal by the Ministry of Finance is causing the loss of a critical year of procurement. Despite the budgetary tension, the Ministry of Defense has decided to start establishing the new production lines and run the processes in parallel with the ongoing struggle with the Ministry of Finance.
