Israel seeking to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers for arms — report

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have ordered the establishment of a so-called National Armaments Directorate to reduce reliance on foreign countries for military supplies, Channel 12 reports.

The reported move comes against the backdrop of growing difficulties in procuring arms or parts abroad due to embargoes and protests targeting Israel over the war in Gaza.

According to Channel 12, the initiative also aims to lessen Israel’s dependence on its closest ally, the United States, the report adds.

The directorate—set to be headed by Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram—will be tasked with identifying procurement gaps; overseeing the development of precision missiles, drones, and directed-energy weapons; managing supply agreements and joint production with foreign partners; coordinating Israel’s stockpile of critical munitions; building emergency production capacity for wartime; aligning IDF needs with domestic industry; and serving as a central hub between the Defense Ministry and other government bodies, according to the report.

A committee headed by retired general Jacob Nagel aimed at examining Israel’s security budget had already recommended the creation of such a body. But according to the report, its immediate mission will be to protect Israel from the risks of arms embargoes, granting Israel greater political and operational freedom in its military campaigns.

Several countries—including Slovenia, Germany, Belgium, Canada, and the United Kingdom —have restricted arms exports to Israel over the Gaza war, while some trade unions have also attempted to block shipments.

Last year, former US President Joe Biden threatened to halt weapons before an IDF offensive in Rafah, and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reportedly warned munitions would be withheld unless Israel expanded humanitarian aid to Gaza.