Move is part of broader push to reduce Israel's reliance on foreign munitions, expand domestic weapons production • Germany deals lead to quadrupled Arrow production.
Israel should be able to produce its own JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) bombs en masse within two years, The Jerusalem Post has learned. The development serves to revolutionize Israel’s warfare capabilities. Under orders from then-defense minister Yoav Gallant, and with recommendations from the commission of former justice Jacob Turkel, Israel started producing more of its own bombs in late 2024. Israel has relied far more on the US for such weapons during crises for decades.
In May 2024, the Biden administration imposed a partial arms freeze on certain bombs to Israel over differences related to the IDF’s invasion of Rafah. Initially, the idea was for Israel to become more independent in producing “dumb” bombs. But that was only the beginning of the process of making Israel more independent in weapons production, particularly regarding munitions. This process accelerated and expanded significantly in 2025-2026, eventually focusing on producing JDAMs and smarter bombs.
Israel already produces its own kits that convert “dumb bombs” into precision weapons, but it is not anywhere close to the necessary volume that it needs to be considered independent. The JDAM is a guidance kit that converts unguided, or “dumb,” bombs into precision-guided munitions (PGMs) that can be used in all weather conditions, including those that would render dumb bombs ineffective. On January 7, 2025, the Defense Ministry signed two major agreements with Elbit Systems, totaling about NIS 1 billion, as part of a strategic effort to strengthen the IDF’s self-sufficiency and operational readiness both in munitions and in raw materials.
In November, the Defense Ministry said more than 120,000 tons of military equipment, munitions, weapons systems, and protective gear had been transferred to Israel via 1,000 aircraft and about 150 maritime vessels, mostly from the US. Amir Baram, who had served as the IDF’s deputy chief of staff, became director-general of the Defense Ministry in March 2025. Over the past two years, he said, the ministry “has led a tremendous effort to ensure the supply of weapons, equipment, technology, and everything required to enable the IDF to fight and prevail. The 1,000th aircraft that landed today represents another crucial link in the strategic supply chain for the State of Israel.” (Ed note: Did you know that the Biden administration also refused to release an order of munitions to Israel that they had already paid for? Israel must free herself from the US Presidents that don't like Israel, know their Bible, or Bible prophecy.) (Read More)
