What It Is About

Since October 7, several European countries have limited the supply of raw materials essential for Israel’s ammunition production, potentially threatening Israel’s defense capacities. Despite assistance from Serbia, the IDF is facing shortages and is currently scrambling for alternative solutions.

Why It Matters

The restrictions on raw materials directly impact Israel’s ability to sustain its military operations. The situation underscores Israel’s need to diversify suppliers and bolster its local defense industry, albeit at a higher economic cost.

Escalating Measures

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly criticized the delays in arms shipments, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The IDF, dealing with munitions shortages, has begun managing a “munitions economy” to mitigate the effect.

Local Production: A Double-Edged Sword

The Israeli defense establishment is promoting local industry development to reduce reliance on imported ammunition. While this move supports the local economy, producing munitions domestically is considerably more expensive and still requires a significant amount of raw materials from foreign sources.

Global Challenges

A global shortage of ammunition, partly due to conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, has intensified competition for these resources. European suppliers, along with others, have unofficially halted the sale of materials and equipment necessary for Israel’s defense.

Diversifying Allies

In response to the boycott, the IDF has turned to countries like Serbia, which has provided military supplies. Efforts are underway to secure alternative suppliers and create strategic reserves of raw materials within Israel.

Conclusion

While European restrictions unveil challenges, they also drive Israel toward self-reliance and diversification of its supply channels, emphasizing resilience despite mounting geopolitical pressures.

This story was first published on ynetnews.com.