Defense Ministry urges boost in weapons production amid ‘state of emergency’

Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram says Israel is in a “prolonged state of emergency” and must accelerate weapons production to achieve greater self-sufficiency, during a meeting with the heads of the country’s leading defense firms, according to the Defense Ministry.

The meeting is attended by senior officials and executives from major companies, including Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Elbit Systems and Tomer to assess efforts to boost procurement and readiness for potential war scenarios, the Defense Ministry says.

According to the ministry, industry leaders report record production levels in recent months, with manufacturing continuing around the clock. Baram urges them to further increase output of munitions, citing a directive from Defense Minister Israel Katz to strengthen immediate preparedness while advancing Israel’s “production independence in the long term.”

He also says the ministry is working to reduce outstanding debts to defense companies, allegedly stemming from under-budgeting by the Finance Ministry.