DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

Europe Condemns Israel, But Buys Billions in Its Weapons

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Elbit Systems reported its order backlog surpassed $30 billion for the first time, including a $1.4 billion contract with an unnamed European nation for military modernization.
  • This announcement contrasts with European political rhetoric aiming to restrict Israeli defense companies, as several nations have floated embargoes or suspended arms exports.
  • European armies are undergoing significant modernization driven by the war in Ukraine, creating a demand for Israeli defense technology, particularly in battlefield connectivity and electronic warfare systems.

Elbit Systems announced its order backlog has exceeded $30 billion, a historic milestone for the Israeli defense firm. The disclosure included a $1.4 billion contract with an unnamed European state for multi-domain military modernization. This development highlights a stark contradiction between European political condemnation of Israel and the practical procurement needs of European defense ministries.

its order backlog had crossed $30 billion for the first time in the company's history, a figure that would have seemed implausible even five years ago.

— Elbit SystemsReporting the company's financial milestone.

While politicians in Europe have publicly called for restricting or even boycotting Israeli defense companies, with actions like Spain suspending arms exports and Elbit being expelled from a major exhibition, European armies are actively seeking Israeli technology. This demand is fueled by the war in Ukraine and a broader shift in the post-Cold War security landscape.

a single contract worth $1.4 billion, signed with an unnamed European state, covering multi-domain military modernization across land, air, and electronic warfare capabilities.

— Elbit SystemsDetailing a significant new European contract.

The core of this dependency lies in advanced battlefield connectivity. Israeli firms, particularly Elbit, are leading in areas like software-defined radios (e.g., Elbit's BNET systems) that enable secure, real-time communication across diverse military platforms. These systems are crucial for NATO members integrating older equipment with next-generation networks, offering a faster solution than domestic development.

The message from European capitals, at least the public-facing version, has been one of distance and moral condemnation.

Describing the public political stance of European nations.

Furthermore, Israeli companies possess cutting-edge electronic warfare capabilities. These are shaped by extensive operational experience, providing adaptive solutions that European research labs struggle to replicate. The gap between political posturing and procurement realities underscores Europe's reliance on Israeli defense innovation to meet its urgent modernization needs.

The message from European defense ministries has been the opposite.

Highlighting the contrast between political statements and procurement actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog