Israel has entered into agreements with defense contractor Elbit to produce bombs locally

Israel’s Defence Ministry announced on Tuesday that it has finalized agreements totaling approximately $275 million with Elbit, the nation’s largest private arms manufacturer, to produce heavy bombs and essential raw materials for defense, thereby decreasing reliance on foreign imports.

These strategic contracts are deemed vital for bolstering the operational endurance and force development capabilities of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The ministry emphasized that minimizing import dependence is a key takeaway from the recent conflict in Gaza.

One of the agreements entails Elbit providing the military with thousands of heavy aerial munitions, while the other will facilitate the establishment of a facility to manufacture raw materials that have primarily been imported. Although the ministry did not disclose the specific raw materials, it indicated that they are integral to munitions production.

Eyal Zamir, the director general of the defence ministry, stated, “Today, we are establishing the groundwork for enhancing manufacturing autonomy in two essential domains for the IDF’s operational sustainability: the domestic production of heavy aerial munitions and the creation of a national raw materials facility.”

He further noted that these agreements will guarantee Israel’s capability to produce various types of bombs and munitions independently.

Some Western nations have voiced concerns regarding arms supplies to Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with U.S. President Joe Biden having previously halted shipments of certain munitions due to worries about their use in densely populated areas. Zamir clarified that the initiative for domestic production began prior to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, but the subsequent war has expedited these plans.