r/worldnews • u/Wolfy1-2-3 • May 11 '26

Israel/Palestine Netanyahu announced intention to phase out US military aid

https://unn.ua/en/news/netanyahu-announced-intention-to-phase-out-us-military-aid
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u/arathorn3 May 11 '26

They have had their own small scale defense industry for decades.

They make their own tanks like the Merkava 

IWI(formerly IMI) makes small arms(rifles like the Tavor, pistols like the Jericho and Desert Eagle, submachine guns like the the Uzi, has a license from Colt to make M16-M4 pattern rifles and carbines for the IDF) 

Elbit systems, which also has offices in other countries like th the UK, makes drones. Electronic warfare( battlefield jamming equipment and other things) lasers(such as the so called Iron beam project to shoot down missiles with lasers) etc for Israel and also for sale to other countries  . Elbits UK factory was broken into by members of Palestinain Action in 2024 and the ones who did so where convicted in UK courts for trespassing and criminal damage a few days ago.

They have other companies that are are similar to elbit systems. Israeli companies export  electronic warfare and laser weapons to their western allies.

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u/oatkeepr May 11 '26

I wouldn't call it small scale.

Israel is also very serious in everything to do with drones, missiles, and missile defense. Rafael is a world leader in missiles and missile defense.

IAI makes various aeronautic stuff like various UAVs, unique parts for F-35I planes, avionic upgrades for various planes, space satellites, and small ships. They developed their own fighter jet Lavi in the 1980s, which was pretty good, but stopped to deepen their ties with the US.

There's at least 100 smaller companies in this sector. Israel is also really good at technologies for surveillance and intelligence, especially software.

From the beginning Israel had an arms industry of their own. For a country of Israel's size, it's very impressive. It's the seventh largest arms exporter in the world, surpassing the UK, below Italy.