Israeli defence exports from 2000 to 2022. Click the image above to view the complete set of graphics explaining Israel’s defence exports | Source: International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), Israeli Ministry of Defense
The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that Israel’s defence industry had set a new record in exports in the year 2022. The figures reported last week to an industry conference in at defence ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv noted that 25 percent of the orders in 2022 were for unmanned systems.
A statement by the Israeli defence ministry quoted Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as saying, “The remarkable data unveiled by the Israeli defence establishment, reaching new heights in defence exports, showcases the State of Israel’s strength and excellent technological capabilities. Through the creativity and innovation of both the Israeli defence establishment and the Ministry of Defense, we not only outpace our adversaries but also sustain our qualitative edge.”
Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir, Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defense, and Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas, Director of the Israeli defence ministry’s International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), ‘announced a record USD 12.546 billion in Israeli defence exports for the year of 2022’ at the conference, according to the statement.
The statement, which pointed out that ‘Israeli defence exports have doubled in less than a decade and increased by 50% in 3 years,’ also noted the ‘Record set in the export of UAVs and drones, exports between countries increased ten-fold, with half of the agreements valued at over USD 100 million.’
The statement quoted Brig. Gen. (res.) Yair Kulas, Director of SIBAT, as saying, “Israel’s defence exports have reached a new peak for the second consecutive time, a remarkable 65% increase within five years. This success is primarily thanks to the technology developed by Israeli defence industries. Demand for Israeli defence solutions has grown in the past year, manifesting in the sharp increase in agreements between defence ministries (GTG). Looking ahead, the geostrategic changes in Europe and Asia in addition to the Abraham Accords generate a high demand for Israel’s cutting-edge systems.”
Illustration of Israel’s arms sales by region between 2018 and 2022, with sales to Abraham Accords countries beginning in 2021 and spiking in 2022 | Source: International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), Israeli Ministry of Defense
It’s worth noting the defence ministry reported ‘Exports to Abraham Accords countries reached approximately USD 3 billion,’ followed by a break-up of the different systems making up the record export run.
Significant tiers of defence exports in 2022: UAV and drone systems (25%), missiles, rockets, and air defence systems (19%), radar and EW (13%), manned aircraft and avionics (5%), observation and optronics (10%), weapon stations and launchers (5%), vehicles and APCs (5%), C4I and communication systems (6%), intelligence, information and cyber systems (6%), ammunition and armament (4%), maritime systems (1%), services and other (1%).
Defense export data by geographic distribution: Asia and the Pacific Region – 30%, Europe – 29%, North America – 11%, Abraham Accords countries – 24%, Africa – 3%, Latin America – 3%.
The rate of export agreements between countries (GTG), signed by the Ministry of Defense has reached an all-time high, over USD 4 billion compared to USD 412 million in 2018. This constitutes a 10-fold increase in 5 years.
Distribution of agreements by financial scope: Agreements over USD 100 million (48%), agreements between USD 50-100 million (12%), agreements up to USD 10 million (20%).
Illustration of the sharp spike in Israel’s Government-to-Government defence sales in 2021 | Source: Source: International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), Israeli Ministry of Defense
Abraham Accords countries are the four states in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with which Israel concluded Arab-Israeli normalisation agreements, chaperoned by the U.S. government during the Trump administration. Sudan, Morocco, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were the four countries that concluded these agreements, recognising Israeli sovereignty and normalising ties with it.
Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir, Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defense, was quoted as saying, “Global instability increases the demand for Israeli air defence systems, drones, UAVs, and missiles, and we continually work to preserve our capabilities and strengthen them.”
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