Israeli arms exports reach record high, as sales to Arab states rise sharply

Israeli arms exports hit an all-time high of $14.7bn in 2024, according to the defence ministry, including a sharp rise in deals with Arab states. 

"Israel again reached an all-time peak in defence exports in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive record-breaking year in the scope of defence agreements," the ministry said. 

Around 57 percent of the agreements signed were "mega-deals" valued at at least $100m each, the ministry said, adding that "operational achievements" in the war on Gaza drove demand. 

"The war's operational achievements and the proven battlefield performance of Israeli systems have driven strong international demand for Israeli defense technology, concluding 2024 on a remarkably high note with record-breaking export deals," it said. 

Sales to Arab countries which signed normalisation deals with Israel, dubbed the Abraham Accords, rose from three percent in 2023 to 12 percent last year. The UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan normalised relations with Israel in 2020. 

Elsewhere, Europe made up 54 percent of exports; Asia and the Pacific region were 23 percent; North America imported nine percent; Latin America was at one percent, while Africa made up one percent.