Thank You, Khamenei: Israeli Defense Exports Hit Record $19.2 Billion

Defense Export Surge

Israel closed 2025 with an all-time record in defense exports, reaching $19.2 billion, according to the figures cited in the report.

The number marks a major jump of around 30% compared to the previous year and reflects a sharp rise in global demand for Israeli defense systems.

The growth is not only a one-year spike. Israel’s defense exports have now doubled in just five years and quadrupled over the past decade, showing how quickly the country’s defense industry has expanded into a major global player.

Abraham Accords Shift

The most striking change came from the Abraham Accords countries.

Their share of Israeli defense exports rose from just 3% in 2023 to 15% in 2025, a dramatic increase in only two years.

The shift points to a larger regional reality. As Iran and its proxies continue threatening Israel and other countries across the Middle East, Israeli defense technology has become increasingly valuable to states facing similar security concerns.

That includes air-defense systems, missile interception technology, drones, intelligence tools, and other advanced systems developed through Israel’s years of operational experience.

More Than the U.S.

The bottom line is remarkable: Israel now exports more defense systems and weapons to Gulf and normalization countries than it does to the United States.

For Israel, that is more than an economic milestone. It reflects the growing security partnership between Israel and countries that were once outside any open defense relationship with Jerusalem.

The Abraham Accords changed the diplomatic map. Iran’s aggression helped change the security map.

The result is a new regional reality: Israeli defense technology is no longer only protecting Israel. It is becoming part of the wider security architecture of the Middle East.