Israel boosts defense industrial base

The goal is to expand Israel’s annual defense exports from $7 billion to $10 billion, said Retired Brig. Gen. Shmaya Avieli, director of the Defense Ministry’s agency for defense exports and defense cooperation (SIBAT). While the four largest companies account for 98 percent of all defense exports (2 percent of Israel's total export list), government support will be expanded for hundreds of small- and medium-sized firms which often offer innovative solutions more quickly.