The defense establishment and defense industries will open new production lines for precision munitions and new smart bombs, J-DAM, for the Israeli Air Force.
According to a report this evening (Wednesday) on Channel 12, the move marks an acceleration in the IDF's force building to create weapons independence and reduce dependence on foreign factors for the backbone of the Air Force.
In addition to producing smart bombs for the Air Force, Israel is also expanding the production lines for Arrow missiles.
Despite the strategic decision, the procurement effort encountered significant budgetary difficulties.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the transfer of 15 billion shekels immediately for the issue, and another 25 billion shekels by the end of the year, but the defense establishment claims that the Ministry of Finance refuses to actually transfer the funds.
The defense establishment talks about the "finance system." According to sources in the establishment, first the defense establishment is under-budgetized, and then it is accused of lack of management. According to the Defense Ministry, this refusal by the Finance Ministry is causing the loss of a critical year of supplies.
Despite the budgetary tensions, the Ministry of Defense decided to begin establishing the new production lines and run the processes in parallel with the struggle with the Ministry of Finance.
