Israeli Defense Ministry official predicts greater cooperation with US in arms production

Brig. Gen. (res.) Daniel Gold, head of the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (Maf’at), anticipates increased cooperation with the United States in arms production, according to an interview with Globes. This shift aligns with Israel's goal of greater independence in its defense supply chain. The current U.S. aid package, providing $3.8 billion annually, expires in 2028. Discussions for the next 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) are underway, with projections indicating a focus on joint development projects rather than U.S. financing.

“There is going to be a lot of joint production, although even now there is [air defense systems] David’s Sling, Arrow and Iron Dome, which was developed with Israeli funding and is produced jointly,” Gold stated.

He noted that 50% of the Iron Beam laser defense system is also being manufactured in the U.S. Gold highlighted global competition for resources and the need for Israel to significantly increase its R&D budgets to keep pace with other nations. He also discussed Israel's successful air superiority against Iran and the ongoing