Netanyahu Calls for Israeli Arms Independence
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again called for his country to pursue "armaments independence," saying that while he deeply appreciates US support, Israel must build its own weapons production capacity. The remarks, delivered to reserve officers on a training course in the occupied West Bank on June 18, were published by his office on June 23, 2026.
"I want independence in the field of weapons," Netanyahu said, according to the statement. "I deeply appreciate the support we have received, and which I have also brought over the years, from our American friends, but we need to break free from dependency and build our own independent armaments network."
Netanyahu framed the push for self-reliance in terms of national strength, saying Israel "is opposing Iran and its satellites." He added, "We have dealt them blows. It is not over yet, but it depends on our strength. Where we will be 30 years from now depends on our strength. Therefore, what we are doing right now is building great strength."
Context: US aid and Congressional Proposal
Netanyahu's comments come as a proposal was filed in the US Congress by Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Indiana), introducing a resolution calling for negotiations on a new memorandum of understanding between the United States and Israel that would phase out an annual $3.8 billion in military assistance to Israel, aiming to replace it with a new framework of cooperative defense and trade.
Israel currently receives around $3.8 billion a year in US financial assistance for weapons purchases, accounting for about 15 percent of its defense budget, under an agreement signed in 2016 and in force since 2019. That deal runs until 2028.
The prime minister has previously expressed a desire to end reliance on US support, telling The Economist in January he hoped to do so within a decade, and telling CBS in May he wanted support to reach "zero."
Netanyahu's latest remarks were made on June 18, a day after the US and Iran agreed on an initial deal to end the West Asia war, a move that has been fiercely opposed in Israel. Washington remains Israel's closest ally, but the two have clashed over the conduct of Israel's wars since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. US President Donald Trump has been publicly critical of Netanyahu in recent weeks as Israel's war with Hezbollah in Lebanon threatened peace talks with Iran.
Defense Spending and Arms Exports
Netanyahu announced on May 3 that Israel would allocate 350 billion shekels (about $115 billion) in defense spending over the next ten years in order to develop its own weapons production capabilities.
The push for independence comes as Israel's arms exports hit a record $19 billion last year, according to reports. Supporters say this strengthens the country's ability to stand on its own, though critics argue that Israel's decades-long occupation and the genocide in Gaza allow it to market its products as "combat-proven."
Since its founding in 1948, Israel has received more than $300 billion, adjusted for inflation, in US economic and military assistance, according to figures from the Council on Foreign Relations, far more than any other country has received since 1946.