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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel should aim for independence in arms production as the 10-year US military aid deal nears its expiration in 2028.
During a speech today, Netanyahu stressed that Israel must build its own military capabilities and reduce its dependence on foreign supplies.
"I want independence from weapons. I appreciate the support we have received from our American friends, but we must have our own independent weapons system. We must produce our own weapons ," he declared.
This is not the first time the Israeli leader has expressed ambitions to strengthen the domestic defense industry. In September last year, Netanyahu warned that Israel was facing a period of international isolation that could last for years, arguing that the country should invest more in weapons production and military technology.
Currently, according to a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2018, Israel receives about $3.8 billion in military aid annually from the United States. The bulk of these funds are used to purchase equipment and systems manufactured by the American defense industry.
The current agreement expires in 2028 and a new framework for cooperation is expected to be negotiated. However, support for Israel has become an increasingly contentious topic in American politics. Democrats have sharply criticized the Netanyahu government for its handling of the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, while some Republicans have also expressed reservations about Israeli policies.
In early June, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that they had begun official talks with the Trump administration to create a new security agreement that would follow the current memorandum.
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