Israel intends to launch mass production of JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) precision-guided aerial bombs within two years. The program is expected to fundamentally change the army's capabilities and reduce the country's dependence on foreign ammunition suppliers. This was reported by The Jerusalem Post.
For decades, Israel has relied heavily on American ammunition supplies during military crises. The decision to expand domestic production was made in late 2024 under the directive of then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The foundation for this decision also included recommendations from a committee led by former Supreme Court of Israel Justice Yaakov Turkel.
Reasons for Expanding the Defense Program
An additional stimulus was the events of May 2024, when the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden partially froze shipments of certain types of aerial bombs due to disagreements over the Israel Defense Forces' operation in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Initially, the focus was on the production of conventional unguided aerial bombs. Later, the program expanded significantly. In 2025 and 2026, the priority shifted to the production of JDAM and other precision-guided munitions.
JDAM is a guidance kit that converts a conventional aerial bomb into a precision-guided weapon. Such munitions are capable of hitting targets in almost any weather condition, where the use of conventional aerial bombs is difficult or ineffective.
Funding and Contracts with Elbit Systems
On January 7, 2025, the Israel Ministry of Defense signed two major contracts with Elbit Systems totaling approximately one billion shekels. The agreements are aimed at strengthening the army's self-sufficiency in the production of ammunition and necessary materials. Later, the ministry also placed a multi-year order for Elbit Systems aviation munitions for an additional 570 million shekels.
Director General of the Ministry of Defense Amir Baram, who previously served as Deputy Chief of General Staff of the IDF, stated that such contracts will allow for the replenishment of weapon stocks, the expansion of production capacities, and the preparation of the army for a complex security situation over the next decade.
According to The Jerusalem Post, the Ministry of Defense initially lacked the funds for a sharp increase in the production of ammunition and Arrow 3 interceptor missiles due to budget disputes with the Ministry of Finance. The solution was a deal to sell the Arrow 3 missile defense system to Germany. The billions of dollars received allowed for increasing the production of the interceptors themselves by two to four times, as well as directing additional funds toward the development of domestic production of precision-guided munitions.
Source: 9tv.co.il