To reduce dependence on Washington. Israel launches plan to produce smart JDAM bombs locally
Israeli steps aimed at reducing reliance on foreign arms supplies have accelerated, especially after sharp disagreements with the administration of former US President Joe Biden over the supply of ammunition to Tel Aviv during the war on the Gaza Strip.
The Jerusalem Post revealed in a report that Tel Aviv intends to start producing joint direct attack guidance bombs known as "JDAM" domestically and on a large scale, in a move that represents a significant strategic and qualitative shift in strengthening the IDF's independent military capabilities.
In late 2024, Israel had begun to increase its domestic production of unguided conventional bombs, under direct directives issued by former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and based on security recommendations formulated by the Yaakov Turkel Committee to secure the army's security needs without full dependence on external parties.
The officials stressed that this armament trend crystallized rapidly following the decision taken by the Biden administration in May 2024 to impose a temporary partial freeze on shipments of some heavy bombs destined for Israel, as a result of deep political and field differences related to the decision of the Israeli army forces to invade the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, which prompted the security circles to find urgent and sustainable alternatives.
The military experts explained that the Israeli project first began with the production of what is known militarily as "stupid bombs" or unguided bombs, but the plan quickly turned into a comprehensive and deep project aimed at localizing the weapons and ammunition industry, especially the more sophisticated and accurate JDAM guided bombs.
From conventional bombs to smart guided munitions
The advanced JDAM system works by providing older and unguided conventional bombs with intelligent guidance units and rear control wings, giving them the ability to transform into high-precision guided missiles via satellites, capable of destroying targets in the worst weather and climatic conditions with full effectiveness.
The military planners stressed that the long historical dependence on Washington nearly paralyzed the movement of the Israeli Air Force during critical stages of the escalation on the ground, making the pursuit of arms supremacy an existential necessity beyond the immediate political calculations of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, which seeks to protect its supply chains.
Deals to support local production and supply chains
On January 7, 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Defense signed two huge strategic agreements with Elbit Systems for Military Industries, with a total value of approximately NIS 1 billion, with the aim of raising the IDF's readiness, securing its stockpile of raw materials, and developing integrated manufacturing lines for advanced munitions.
In November 2025, following the transfer of Amir Baram from the position of Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army to the position of Director General of the Ministry of Defense in March of the same year, the Ministry announced its success in transporting and securing more than 120,000 tons of various military equipment, ammunition, advanced weapon systems, and personal and defense means of protection through an air and sea bridge that included 1,000 aircraft and 150 cargo ships, the largest part of which came directly from the United States of America.
Director General Baram stated that the ministry has made tremendous efforts to secure these supplies to ensure the continuation of the IDF's military operations, explaining that the current Israeli strategy works on two parallel tracks: the first focuses on expanding the local defense industries to ensure self-sufficiency and independent manufacturing, while the second is concerned with maintaining the depth of defense relations with international allies to ensure a military airlift in times of emergency and peace.
In January 2026, the Israeli Ministry of War revealed the submission of a new multi-year purchase order dedicated to the supply of large quantities of aerial munitions produced by the local company "Elbit Systems", with a cash value estimated at about NIS 570 million to supply the warplanes' stores and raise the level of operational readiness.
German funding saves war budget
The Israeli Ministry of Defense has faced significant difficulties and financial obstacles to provide the necessary liquidity to finance plans for the production of smart munitions locally, in addition to meeting the requirements to increase the manufacturing rate of the Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile system, as a result of sharp and long-standing disagreements with the Ministry of Finance over increasing the national security and defense budget.
The Ministry solved this intractable financial dilemma through the rapid exploitation of funds and large cash flows resulting from the activation of a second export deal for the Arrow 3 air defense system concluded with the Federal Republic of Germany, which allowed for the provision of stable and urgent financing for local aerial munitions development and manufacturing projects and raising their technical efficiency.
The financial proceeds of the German deal contributed to a two- to four-fold increase in the production of Arrow-3 missiles from previous rates, despite harsh internal criticism of the government from Israeli media that opposed sending these vital defensive missiles abroad in conjunction with Israel fighting a complex war on multiple fronts that required at some stages to resort to the David's Sling system to intercept Iranian ballistic attacks.
The Jerusalem Post defended the feasibility of the German deal, stressing that the missiles exported to Berlin do not exceed a very small percentage of the stockpile, while the huge profits made through them provided the IDF with financial coverage for the purchase of dozens of additional interceptor missiles and locally manufactured munitions in critical and accurate field periods.