💰 ISRAEL DEFENSE EXPORTS REACH RECORD $19.2 BILLION AS FRANCE RESTRICTS ISRAELI PARTICIPATION IN MAJOR DEFENSE EXHIBITION
💰 Israeli defense exports reached a record $19.2 billion in 2025: According to the Defense Ministry's International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), exports rose nearly 30% from $14.8 billion in 2024, marking the fifth consecutive year of record-breaking sales.
Exports to the Asia-Pacific region nearly doubled to $6.1 billion. Europe remained the largest market, accounting for 36% of total sales, or $6.9 billion.
Countries participating in the Abraham Accords increased their share of Israeli defense purchases to 15%, up from 12% the previous year. Officials expect additional growth in Gulf demand following the conflict with Iran.
Government-to-government agreements generated approximately $10 billion, accounting for more than half of total exports. Contracts valued above $100 million represented 53% of overall export volume.
🛡️ Air defense, missile, and rocket systems remained Israel's leading defense export category: The category accounted for 29% of total sales. Surveillance and optoelectronic systems saw the sharpest growth, rising from 6% to 22% of exports.
Manned aircraft and avionics, along with radar and electronic warfare systems, each accounted for 11%. C4I systems represented 7%, while cyber-intelligence systems accounted for 2%.
Defense Ministry officials credited recent reforms that streamlined export licensing procedures and expanded the number of approved buyer countries. Officials also said international demand for Israeli systems remained high despite sanctions and restrictions imposed by some Western European governments.
At the same time, growing global competition and the strengthening shekel have increased pressure on profit margins.
⚠️ France will restrict Israeli participation at the upcoming EUROSATORY defense exhibition in Paris: France informed Israel's Ministry of Defense that it will prohibit official Israeli participation, preventing the establishment of a national pavilion and barring government representatives from attending.
Israeli defense companies will also be prohibited from displaying offensive weapon systems, with only air-defense products permitted for exhibition.
Israel views the move as discriminatory, noting that comparable restrictions are not being imposed on other international defense industries. Israeli officials said the decision departs from accepted norms governing major global defense exhibitions.
Officials argue the restrictions reflect political and commercial considerations rather than professional or security concerns. They also view the move as part of a broader pattern of increasingly critical French policies toward Israel in recent years.
Israeli criticism also points to what officials see as a contradiction between France's stated commitment to democratic values and its decision to exclude Israeli offensive defense technologies from an international forum.
Israeli officials contend that these systems have demonstrated proven operational effectiveness against terrorist organizations and hostile regional actors. They argue the restrictions are intended to limit exposure to Israeli defense capabilities that have gained significant international recognition.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said the record export results demonstrate continued global confidence in Israel's defense industry, even during a third year of war.
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