Israel’s defense exports have nearly doubled in just five years.
By Hezy Laing
Israel’s recent military success has had a dramatic impact on in it’s arms industry, with record breaking sales, especially for systems like Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow.
In 2024, Israel’s defense exports hit $14.8 billion, the highest ever — and nearly double the figure from just five years ago.
The war’s operational success showcased Israeli systems in real-time, boosting global confidence and demand.
Combat experience is also feeding back into R&D, making systems even more attractive to buyers seeking proven tech.
Sales of Air Defense Systems dominated. Nearly 48% of exports were air defense systems, up from 36% in 2023.
Europe became the largest buyer, accounting for 54% of exports, driven by fears from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile Arabic Abraham Accords countries such as the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan collectively bought 12% of exports, up from 3% in 2022
North America sales held steady at 9%, while Asia-Pacific dropped due to fewer repeat deals.
In some regions there has also been a minor drop in sales due to political considerations.
For example, Spain canceled a €285 million missile deal with Rafael over concerns tied to the Gaza war.
While in France and the UK sales have slowed due to political pressure, despite military interest remaining high.
As a result of the surge in sales Israeli firms like Elbit, IAI, and Rafael shifted into 24/7 operations to meet both IDF and foreign demand.
