Israel Arms Exports Hit Record $19B; Iran Announces Stronger Defenses

Israeli weapons exports reached more than $19 billion in 2025, a 30 percent increase from 2024, Israel's Defense Ministry said Tuesday. Sales have more than doubled in the last five years. More than half of last year's sales were mega-deals valued at $100 million or more.

The ministry did not name any buyers. More than a quarter of the sales were missile, rocket, and air defense systems, the same share recorded in 2024. A surge in observation and optronics systems also contributed to the total.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said the results reflect a direct link between battlefield performance, domestic industry capability, and export growth. He added that the figures reinforce Israel's standing as a leading defense technology power and create an obligation to continue innovating. The ministry identified counter-drone systems as a future priority.

A March report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute stated that Israel has overtaken the United Kingdom in global arms-export share and now ranks as the world's seventh-largest supplier. This year's Defense Tech Expo in Tel Aviv showcased equipment shaped by recent conflicts.

Industry officials noted that some governments that publicly pledged to avoid Israeli weapons have continued to place orders quietly, citing the systems' performance data.

Iran's Defense Ministry stated it will use all of its power to reinforce defensive capabilities, state media reported. The announcement contained no specific systems, troop movements, or budget figures.