Netanyahu accepts findings of committee on bolstering funds for military, arms production

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened in Jerusalem last night the “Nagel Committee” designed to examine defense spending and IDF military force design for the future, his office says.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu accepted all of the committee’s interim recommendations, and instructed the task force to move ahead immediately.

The interim recommendations focus on six areas: procurement and production to expand the available munitions and the air defense system; capabilities needed for ground maneuver; naval superiority; manpower; new ways for developing and producing weapon systems; and border protection.

The committee, chaired by Brigadier General (Res.) Prof. Jacob Nagel, comprises representatives of the Prime Minister’s Office, Finance Ministry, Defense Ministry and IDF, and is tasked with determining the directions of Israel’s military force design for the next decade, the budgetary implications, and the economic impact.

So far, says the PMO, the committee held discussions with the Defense Ministry Budget Division, the Accountant General, the Bank of Israel, the Finance Ministry, and members of the defense system. These discussions examined the future scenario that will guide planning, the IDF multi-year plan that was in place before October 7, and the lessons of the war on budgets and planning.

The final recommendation will include a new concept of operations, goals for military force design, and the budgetary implications for the coming years.

The committee will also submit recommendations on transparency and supervision of the budgetary and spending process.

In May, following an extended fight with the defense establishment, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that he had reached an agreement with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to establish the committee.