More than half of 2025’s sales were “mega-deals” valued at $100 million or more, the Israeli ministry claimed. [Getty]
Israeli weapons exports reached a record high of more than $19 billion last year, a 30% increase from 2024, Israel’s Defence Ministry claimed on Tuesday.
More than half of 2025’s sales were “mega-deals” valued at $100 million or more, the ministry said, adding that sales have more than doubled in the last five years, despite widespread criticism of Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, its invasion and occupation of Lebanon, and its attack on Iran.
It did not identify any of the buyers.
Countries that have vowed to shun Israeli weapons makers are nonetheless quietly placing orders, according to industry officials. Experts say governments look to Israel because its weapons are ‘battle-tested’, as in used against various communities and civilians, and they’re able to see in real time that the munitions and systems ‘work’.
Europe was the largest purchaser, accounting for 36% of total exports in 2025, which is around $6.9 billion. This is down from around $7.9 billion worth of exports to Europe last year.
The Asia-Pacific region followed, accounting for 32% of exports, up from 23% in 2024.
Middle Eastern and North African nations—including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco, which “normalised” relations with Israel in 2020 agreements—accounted for 15% of the arms purchases, up from 12% in 2024.
Ministry officials said they estimated that after the war with Iran ends, Israeli arms exports to Gulf nations would increase further. During the recent conflict, Israel sent personnel to the UAE.
North America accounted for 13%, Latin America for 2%, and sub-Saharan Africa for 2%.
A March report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said that for the first time, Israel has surpassed the United Kingdom in its share of global arms exports, making it the world’s seventh-biggest supplier.
