Story perspectives

EU-Israel Defence Tie-Up Boosts Finland Missile Purchase, 5% GDP Goal

5/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Rafael and Volkswagen AG will partner to build Iron Dome trucks at Osnabrück, converting to defence parts 2027.
Elbit Systems will produce its €6 billion EuroPULS system in Germany.
Israeli group led by Yair Kulas visited Finland, where parliament approved a NIS 1.3 billion David’s Sling purchase.
Finland’s parliament rejected a proposal to end arms trade with Israel.
Analysts say the cooperation helps Europe meet a 5 % of GDP defence-spending goal by 2035.

History

Historical Context

After West Germany’s 1952 reparations pact—paying Israel 3 billion marks—bilateral relations moved from economic aid to security collaboration. In 1995 Israel joined NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue, its first formal defense partnership with European allies, signaling a broader European trend toward integrated defense cooperation that set the stage for significant later German-Israeli projects.

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Story summary

Rafael and Volkswagen AG will partner to build Iron Dome trucks at Osnabrück, converting to defence parts 2027.
Elbit Systems will produce its €6 billion EuroPULS system in Germany.
Israeli group led by Yair Kulas visited Finland, where parliament approved a NIS 1.3 billion David’s Sling purchase.
Finland’s parliament rejected a proposal to end arms trade with Israel.
Analysts say the cooperation helps Europe meet a 5 % of GDP defence-spending goal by 2035.

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