Israel’s defense industry is breaking records. This morning (Thursday), a thorough report by the Wall Street Journal revealed data highlighting the impact of the war imposed on Israel since October 7th last year: a rapid propelling of the pace of live adaptation, advancements and innovation.
The Powerful Motivation: Global Tensions
Israel’s war is taking place alongside European and U.S. tensions regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. As a result, the demand for weapons is soaring, and Israel’s defense industry finds itself breaking records. Accounting for approximately 70% of Israel’s defense exports, companies such as Elbit, Rafael, and Israel Aerospace Industries are reporting exceptional growth. The order backlog of these three companies surged by 25% during the first three quarters of 2024, reaching $63 billion — a major increase in comparison to previous years.
Most Prominent: The ‘Iron Dome’ and ‘Arrow’
Systems like the ‘Iron Dome’ and ‘Arrow’ have become particularly sought after, having proven their incredible effectiveness over the 15 months of war. Slovakia, for example, recently signed a deal worth €560 million (approximately $579 million) to purchase the ‘Barak MX’ system. Despite arms embargoes imposed by certain countries, the demand for Israeli weapons is rising – even among nations critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Workforce Expansion: Defense Sector Seeks Thousands of New Employees
Such high demand has caused the industry to intensify its work pace and expand its workforce. “We’ve had to work at a much higher rate than before, as the demand has increased both in Israel and abroad,” said CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries, Boaz Levy. President of the Manufacturers’ Association of Israel, Ron Tomer, added: “We need to recruit at least 6,000 more employees to meet demands, but I’m confident we’ll achieve this — especially as more of our high-tech sector begins shifting towards our defense industries.”
The future of Israel’s defense industry looks bright and promising, especially as the development of the new cutting-edge ‘Iron Beam’ laser system is capable of intercepting threats at a cost of just a few dollars per interception. Given its high cost-effectiveness, this technology could powerfully revolutionize the global defense market. As of 2025, Israel is solidifying its position as an esteemed global defense market leader, with the extraordinary potential to break further records in the coming years.
