Joint Weapons Procurement

Despite its small size, Israel is recognized as a world leader in the quality of its indigenously-developed military technology. Using the lessons learned from a history of fighting for its survival without enormous resources from which to draw, Israeli engineers have designed military equipment that is extremely cost-effective. The reductions in the U.S. defense budget over the last decade have made many of these systems attractive to the Defense Department. By teaming up with American defense industries, Israeli defense companies have become a significant provider of military equipment to the U.S. Armed Forces. For example:

· U.S. Air Force bombers now have a supply of Israeli-designed missiles that can be fired from long ranges.

· U.S. Army soldiers in some units are now safer because their infantry vehicles have an Israeli designed armor attached to the sides.

· American commanders on the ground are now able to locate enemy units through the use of high flying unmanned aircraft, the use of which has been pioneered by the Israel Defense Forces for over a decade.

These systems are all being jointly manufactured in the United States and Israel as a result of these industrial partnerships.

Source: American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)