### Israel's Ambitious $110 Billion Plan for Military Independence Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a groundbreaking initiative to invest **350 billion shekels** (approximately **$110 billion**) over the next decade to develop an independent arms industry. This strategic move aims to significantly reduce Israel's reliance on foreign arms suppliers, particularly the United States, and to bolster national security by ensuring that a greater portion of military supplies is produced domestically. Netanyahu emphasized the importance of striving for military self-sufficiency while acknowledging that complete independence may not be feasible. This announcement comes at a time when Israel seeks to enhance its defense capabilities amid ongoing regional tensions and security challenges [https://www.firstpost.com/world/israel-to-spend-110-billion-on-developing-independent-arms-industry-netanyahu-13962678.html, https://news.az/news/israel-to-invest-110b-to-cut-reliance-on-us-arms]. ### Structure of the Announcement and Its Implications 1. **Investment Overview**: Netanyahu's plan involves a **$110 billion** investment aimed at establishing a robust domestic arms industry. 2. **Strategic Goals**: The initiative seeks to reduce dependency on foreign military supplies, particularly from the U.S., and to enhance Israel's self-reliance in defense capabilities. 3. **Long-term Vision**: The investment is projected to unfold over the next **ten years**, indicating a long-term commitment to military independence. 4. **Public Statements**: Netanyahu highlighted the importance of producing arms domestically, stating, "We will strive ... to ensure our arms are produced as much as possible in Israel" [https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/middleeastnews/896397/netanyahu-israel-to-spend-110-billion-to-develop-independent-arms-indu/en, https://english.aawsat.com/world/5222798-netanyahu-israel-spend-110-billion-develop-independent-arms-industry-next-decade]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Investment Amount**: **350 billion shekels** (~**$110 billion**) allocated for the development of the arms industry. - **Timeframe**: The initiative is set to span **ten years**, indicating a significant commitment to military self-sufficiency. - **Strategic Importance**: The move is seen as a response to geopolitical pressures and aims to enhance Israel's defense capabilities amid regional instability [https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/12/24/how-israel-is-buying-its-military-freedom, https://tjvnews.com/news/israel/israel-charts-a-110-billion-path-to-military-self-reliance-as-netanyahu-unveils-ambitious-arms-independence-drive]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for Israeli Defense In summary, Israel's decision to invest **$110 billion** in developing an independent arms industry marks a pivotal shift in its national security strategy. The key points are as follows: 1. **Significant Investment**: A commitment of **350 billion shekels** over the next decade to enhance military independence. 2. **Reduction of Foreign Dependency**: A strategic goal to minimize reliance on foreign arms suppliers, particularly the U.S. 3. **Long-term Commitment**: The initiative reflects a long-term vision for self-sufficiency in defense capabilities. 4. **Public Assurance**: Netanyahu's statements reinforce the importance of domestic production in ensuring national security. This ambitious plan is poised to redefine Israel's military landscape and enhance its strategic autonomy in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment [https://athens-times.com/netanyahu-israel-to-spend-110-billion-on-independent-weapons-industry, https://swedenherald.com/article/israel-investing-350-billion-shekels-in-domestic-arms-industry-to-reduce-dependence-on-other-countries].