In the early years, Israel had freedom to use these funds, but over the past decade, almost the entire annual amount — about $3.8 billion — has gone to waste. — must be allocated in accordance with the applicable agreement exclusively for purchases in the American arms industry.
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How much money does Israel receive from the US annually for defense purposes?
What does Israel plan to do with American military aid?
What are the reasons why Israel wants to reduce its dependence on the US?
What does Israel intend to do with its arms industry in the next 10 years?
Israel's ambitious plan. “We will be super-Sparta”
Israel, despite having an advanced technological and defense sector, still relies on the US for, among others, maircraft, air tankers and helicopters. In September, Netanyahu described the new strategy as building a self-sufficient defense economy, calling Israel the future “super-Sparta” of the 21st century.
The Israeli government announced in December plan to allocate the equivalent of approximately USD 110 billion. on the development of the domestic arms industry within a decade. The goal is to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, including allies. The impulse to change the strategy came from the experience of the war in Gaza, when Israel encountered restrictions on arms supplies, including: from Spain, Great Britain and Germany, which expressed concerns about Israel committing war crimes.
Why Israel wants to distance itself from the USA
The decision to withdraw from American subsidies results from the growing belief in Jerusalem that the current financing model is a form of the so-called golden shackles limiting the operational freedom of the state. Israel hawks increasingly see American aid as tool of political pressure Washington on Israeli decisions, including towards Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The evolution of public debate in the United States is also an important factor. An increasing number of American politicians, both from pro-Trump circles pushing the “America First” doctrine, and from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, supports limiting financial support for Israel. Polls also show that for many Americans, continuing to subsidize the Israeli budget is becoming a controversial issue.
Despite the tough rhetoric about independence, complete autarky in modern military technology is difficult to achieve. Israel still plans to acquire 25 F-15 fighters worth $8.6 billion. Sources of the newspaper “Israel Ha-Yom” reported in November that talks are underway about a new long-term cooperation package with the USA, which may take the form of joint technology projects instead of regular grants. According to the daily, Netanyahu's announcements may serve both as an element of building internal support and as preparing the ground for a new, more symmetrical agreement with the United States.
