In a year defined by war, political backlash, and global scrutiny, Israel’s defense industry achieved the unthinkable: a record-shattering $14.8 billion in arms exports in 2024, the highest in the nation’s history. This milestone was reached despite Israel fighting on multiple fronts — simultaneously defending against Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq — and enduring what is now the longest military conflict in its 76-year history.

According to SIBAT, the International Defense Cooperation Directorate at Israel’s Ministry of Defense, the export surge reflects Israel’s unmatched resilience and technological supremacy, even as much of the Western world — particularly in Europe — leveled moral criticisms and attempted to isolate the Jewish state economically and politically.

Israel's Defense Exports Break All-Time Record, Topping 52 Billion Shekels 🇮🇱

For the fourth year in a row, Israel set a new defense export record, signing 52 billion ILS in contracts in the past year. Europe led global demand for Israeli products, accounting for 54% of the… pic.twitter.com/sLJlb8qZPg

— Nazi Hunters (@HuntersOfNazis) June 4, 2025

Europe’s Hypocrisy on Display: 54% of Israeli Arms Headed to European Militaries

The most significant market for Israeli weaponry in 2024 was, paradoxically, Europe — the very continent where public demonstrations, governmental condemnations, and media attacks on Israel have been most ferocious. European nations accounted for a stunning 54% of all Israeli defense exports, a 19% increase over 2023, as they scrambled to replenish their depleted stockpiles and modernize their forces amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Air defense systems dominated exports, comprising 48% of total sales, led by multi-billion-dollar deals with Germany and other NATO nations. Germany’s procurement of the Arrow 3 missile defense system — valued at over NIS 14 billion — now stands as the largest single defense agreement in Israeli history. Additional high-profile sales included:

• Barak MX air defense systems by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), exported across Asia and Europe

• David’s Sling systems, developed by Rafael, now in deployment across multiple new international clients

Boycotts, Cancellations & Hypocrisy: Europe Condemns with One Hand, Pays with the Other

Despite surging demand, Israel's defense firms have faced mounting political interference and targeted sanctions. Spain, for example, froze a $300 million Rafael missile deal and canceled a separate $6.6 million small-arms contract with Elbit Systems. France excluded Israeli firms from major arms exhibitions, bowing to public pressure while continuing bilateral defense cooperation behind the scenes.

Israel has once again surpassed its all-time defense export record, reaching $14.7 billion in 2024—a 13% increase over the previous year!

More than half of these agreements exceeded $100 million, with European countries accounting for 54% of the total volume. Elbit Systems was a… pic.twitter.com/jKsNHsT0Jv

— Elbit Systems (@ElbitSystemsLtd) June 4, 2025

Yair Koles, Head of the Defense Export Division, didn't mince words:

“These are major challenges, no doubt. But when it comes to delivery timelines and battle-tested reliability, Israel delivers faster, smarter, and more efficiently than anyone else. That’s what matters when missiles are flying.”

Arab Nations Rise in Share: Abraham Accords Bear Strategic Fruit

A quiet but notable shift occurred in the Middle East as well. Arab states that normalized relations with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords have emerged as growing defense clients, now comprising 12% of Israel’s total exports, up from just 3% in 2023.

• Morocco led the trend, acquiring Elbit Systems’ ATMOS cannons in a deal worth €150–200 million, along with the PULS rocket system, Barak MX air defense, and even a reconnaissance satellite from IAI.

• The UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan also placed orders, marking a tectonic shift in regional defense dynamics, where former adversaries are now Israeli arms customers.

  BREAKING: Israel’s defense exports hit a record high in 2024, as European nations rushed to buy Israeli weapons.
  
  While their leaders issue hollow condemnations to appease rising Islamist populations, they know the truth: they need Israel to keep their countries safe. pic.twitter.com/w4Xwo089iJ

  — Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) June 4, 2025

Asia-Pacific Pullback, But Global Lead Maintained

While Europe surged ahead, the Asia-Pacific region dropped by 25%, accounting for only 23% of total exports. Analysts cite economic slowdowns and shifting political alliances as reasons. Yet despite this regional dip, Israeli exports overall doubled over the past five years, underscoring the long-term momentum.

Notably, the Israeli Defense Ministry itself directly negotiated 54% of all foreign deals, up from 35% the year before, streamlining bureaucracies and shortening procurement timelines dramatically.

Speed, Technology, and Combat-Proven Results Set Israel Apart

The greatest advantage Israeli defense firms offer is their real-time combat validation — systems are battle-tested dailyunder the harshest conditions. According to Koles:

“While some Western defense contractors require seven years to fulfill a contract, Israeli companies deliver within two to three — all while sustaining the IDF’s own wartime needs.”

Since the start of the war, production has ramped up drastically — with many Israeli defense firms doubling or tripling output — to meet both domestic and global demand.

Meanwhile: Israel's defense exports broke an all-time record in 2024, reaching $14.8 billion even as the country remained embroiled in the longest war in its history and faced mounting political pressure from Europe to end it.

Arms exports to Europe rose 19% compared to 2023. pic.twitter.com/MMpVraueVT

— James Spiro (@JamesSpiro) June 4, 2025

Logistical Challenges Loom for 2025

Still, challenges persist. Missile threats to Ben Gurion Airport, Houthi attacks on shipping lanes, and intense public pressure abroad threaten Israel’s global defense logistics and diplomacy. Koles admitted that graphic images from Gaza are complicating foreign relationships and could weigh heavily on 2025 projections.

Whether Israel breaks another record next year remains uncertain — but if 2024 proved anything, it’s that the world’s most embattled democracy is also one of its most indispensable weapons suppliers.