"The situation is embarrassing, it's not serious": The budget failure that is distancing the Apache and munitions deal from Israel
After the commanders of the Air Force and Navy set goals for purchasing thousands of munitions for various arenas, including Iran, Walla has learned that the deals may be delayed due to the Treasury's demand for legislation to increase the deficit. The army is embarrassed by the conduct of the government and the Treasury, as there is currently no ability to pay the US.
While the IDF and the Ministry of Defense are warning the political echelon that failure to pass a special budget subject to legislation that will increase the state deficit will not allow for procurement, it was learned today (Sunday) by Walla that the deadline for submitting the Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the Apache helicopters passed last Thursday.
This follows two delays by the US Department of Defense to allow Israel to submit an orderly request. Therefore, the deal may be delayed for years to come and harm the force buildup of the Air Force.
In addition, it was learned by Walla from sources in the Air Force that the Air Force Commander, Major General Omer Tishler, ordered an urgent purchase of tens of thousands of munitions that would arrive by mid-2027 (the cheap ammunition at an average cost of 50,000 dollars and the expensive one at least twice as much). At this stage, there is no budget, and the deal may be delayed again in a way that will harm the force's preparation against several arenas, with an emphasis on Iran.
Furthermore, the Navy Commander, Major General Eyal Harel, instructed to purchase sea-to-sea missiles, some of them radar-guided, torpedoes, and anti-submarine missiles. But at this stage, it was reported by the Ministry of Defense and the Planning Directorate that there is no budget for this.
It was also learned by Walla that messages were conveyed to the US Department of Defense that the IDF must shorten the timelines regarding the production and delivery of the munitions, but the Americans were clear: in exchange for accelerating the process, Israel must transfer cash and not future commitments.
In the current situation, security officials said, the IDF will be required to carry out procurement only in 2030, while the army may soon reach a "red line". The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Finance to transfer 15 billion shekels to the Ministry of Defense and the IDF for the purchase of missiles, bombs, interceptors, aircraft, and advanced weapon systems. Although the Ministry of Finance refuses, claiming that the government must pass a law to increase the deficit, which at this stage limits procurement for the coming years.
"Without increasing the deficit through legislation, it will not be possible to carry out procurement," a security official explained. "The situation has become embarrassing. We have been working for two years on contracts, documents, types, planning, and more with the Americans, and after everything is agreed upon, they are told: we have no money. It's not serious. It harms the image of the State of Israel and, worse than that, it harms the security of the country."
