Warning letter from heads of defense industries to the Prime Minister: "Damage to IDF capabilities"
A warning letter was sent to the Prime Minister following the failure to transfer 40 billion shekels. Industry heads warn of the closure of ammunition production lines. The IDF is preparing for immediate cuts in reserve duty days and a halt to the restoration of tanks damaged in the war.
The heads of the defense industries have sent a warning letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The industries warn that the failure to transfer 40 billion shekels endangers national security. According to senior officials, production lines for certain types of ammunition are facing closure within the coming month.
The letter comes against the backdrop of what the Chief of Staff calls the "battle for the budget" against the Ministry of Finance, a struggle that is escalating today, Thursday, as heads of major industries join the demand to approve the 40 billion shekel budget promised by Netanyahu.
"In the absence of orders and a lack of willingness to commit on the part of the government, we are facing the closure of production in the coming month on the lines for some types of ammunition, in a way that will harm the IDF's ability to carry out its missions," the senior officials wrote. — "To maintain production continuity, immediate emergency action is required."
Following the budget crisis, the IDF is already preparing to implement deep cuts in current operations in the coming days to avoid a deficit. Immediate steps include a reduction in reserve duty days, a move expected to place a greater burden on soldiers in regular service. In addition, the army will stop repair and restoration work on tanks and armored personnel carriers damaged during the fighting.
The planned cuts will also affect long-term procurement of aerial platforms. According to the plan, orders for combat helicopters and aircraft scheduled for delivery to Israel will be delayed by years. The defense establishment warns that the damage to the army's capabilities may be significant, especially at a time when all combat fronts remain open and there is a critical need to maintain operational readiness.
