Post by : Meena Ariff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel wants to become strong enough to manage its defence needs without relying on military aid from the United States within the next decade. He shared this view in a recent interview published on Friday, highlighting Israel’s growing economic and defence capabilities.

The United States has long been Israel’s closest military ally and has approved the sale of military equipment worth tens of millions of dollars to support Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. Defence cooperation between the two nations has continued for decades and remains a key part of their strategic relationship.

Speaking about his discussions with US leaders, Netanyahu said Israel is deeply grateful for the military assistance provided by Washington over the years. However, he added that Israel has now reached a stage where it has developed advanced military technology and a strong economy capable of supporting its own defence needs.

Netanyahu pointed out that Israel’s economy is expanding rapidly and is expected to reach nearly one trillion dollars within the next ten years. With this growth, he said, Israel should begin reducing its dependence on American military support and gradually phase out aid over the coming decade.

Under a defence agreement signed in 2016, Israel currently receives around $3.8 billion every year from the United States for purchasing military equipment. This agreement came into effect in 2019 and is scheduled to run until 2028.

According to international research groups, Israel has received more than $300 billion in military and economic aid from the US since its establishment in 1948, after adjusting for inflation. This makes Israel one of the largest recipients of American foreign assistance.

Earlier this year, during a period of reportedly tense relations with US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu hinted that Israel would eventually need to “wean itself off” American military aid, though he did not explain the timeline at that time.

In a separate and controversial speech in September, Netanyahu said Israel was becoming more isolated globally and needed to adopt what he described as a “super-Sparta” model. After criticism over the remarks, he clarified that he was referring specifically to strengthening Israel’s defence industry and ensuring self-reliance to avoid future supply disruptions.

Netanyahu’s comments signal a long-term shift in Israel’s defence strategy, focusing on independence while maintaining strong diplomatic and security ties with its allies.