Israel’s Defense Industry Expands Amid Gaza Conflict

Since the 2023-24 Gaza war, Israeli defense exports have risen sharply. Massivit repurposed its large-format 3D printers for drone parts, reporting a 200 % inquiry increase after the February Iran strike. ASIO’s Orion rugged smartphones and IWI’s Arbel anti-drone kit have also attracted buyers across Europe, the United States, Southeast Asia and India, with the Arbel system now in use by more than two dozen nations.

Associated Press

Hamas attacked Israel on 7 Oct 2023, killing about 1,200 and taking 250 hostages. Israel’s retaliation in Gaza has been reported by the Gaza Health Ministry to have caused over 72,700 Palestinian deaths. A February Israeli-U.S. strike on Iranian targets further spurred demand for advanced weapons.

Associated Press

• Weapons sales doubled in five years; 2024 exports hit $15 billion.

Associated Press

• Missiles, rockets and air-defense systems comprise >50 % of sales.

Associated Press

• ASIO Orion orders rose 400 % since the Gaza war.

Associated Press

Israel’s Defense Ministry says its equipment is used only for national defense and rejects claims that battlefields serve as testing grounds. Defense Minister Israel Katz described the export surge as a direct result of the army’s successes and noted that partners seek reliable security solutions.

Associated Press

Human-rights groups and several governments label Israel’s Gaza actions as potential war crimes. DAWN executive director Omar Shakir warned that the war “has drawn heavily on Israel’s deadly playbook and provided a boon to Israeli and other defense and technology companies.” Spain cancelled an anti-tank missile deal; Slovenia banned all weapons transits to and from Israel.

Associated Press

The Gaza Health Ministry’s estimate of 72,700 Palestinian deaths has not been independently verified, and the article provides no Israeli casualty figures or detailed breakdown of the $15 billion export portfolio, leaving key data gaps.

Associated Press

• “I stopped thinking about Hollywood sets,” — Yossi Azarzar, CEO, Massivit

Associated Press

• “This tremendous achievement is a direct result of the successes of the (army) and defense industries. ... The world sees Israeli strength and seeks to be a partner in it,” — Israel Katz, Defense Minister

Associated Press

• “The regional war has drawn heavily on Israel’s deadly playbook and provided a boon to Israeli and other defense and technology companies able to parlay the use of their products in Gaza to attract more business,” — Omar Shakir, Executive Director, DAWN

Associated Press

• “People and politicians say things they need to say ... what they say is not necessarily what is going on underneath the surface,” — Semion Dukhan, Head of Europe, IWI

Associated Press

The Defense Ministry has flagged drone counter-measures as a priority, with IWI’s Arbel system slated for upgrades. ASIO is negotiating contracts with about 20 more countries, and Massivit continues to market rapid-production drone parts globally.

Associated Press