Arab states received 12 percent of Israeli arms exports in 2024

Israel’s Ministry of Defence announced on Wednesday that arms exports by Israeli companies reached an all-time high in 2024, totalling $14.8bn.

“The unprecedented operational achievements, combined with the combat experience gained through Israeli-developed technologies during the war, have generated significant demand for Israeli defence systems among numerous countries,” the ministry stated, attributing the surge in exports to the ongoing military offensive on Gaza, which began in October 2023.

According to TheMarker, arms exports rose by 13 percent compared to 2023, when exports stood at $13.1bn. The 2024 figure represents roughly 10 percent of Israel’s total exports of goods and services, according to data published by the outlet.

This marks a record year for Israeli arms exports, which have more than doubled over the past five years; in 2019, total exports amounted to $7.3bn.

Europe emerged as the primary destination for Israeli arms, accounting for 54 percent of total purchases – up nearly 20 percentage points from 2023, when European countries made up 35 percent of Israel’s arms export market. 

In 2024, European states bought nearly $8bn worth of Israeli military products, compared to $4.6bn in 2023, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Beyond Europe, another significant destination for Israeli arms in 2024 was the group of countries that normalised relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords. Combined arms sales to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan reached $1.8bn – equivalent to 12 percent of Israel’s total arms exports.

Read more: Arab states received 12 percent of Israeli arms exports in 2024 amid surge in arms sales