Is the IDF, as they say, one of the most powerful armies in the world? Without a doubt from a technological point of view, in terms of spending dedicated to weapons or in terms of military personnel that can be mobilized quickly. This country of 9.6 million inhabitants, at war since its creation in 1948, is the fifteenth country that dedicates the most money to its armed forces, according to the latest report from Sipri, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
In 2022, the Jewish State allocated $23 billion to its military spending. This amount represents 4.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP), double that of most countries in the European Union. The arms budget reaches 2,500 dollars (2,350 euros) per inhabitant. In comparison, if France dedicated the same amount per capita, its annual military spending would exceed 150 billion euros, up from 49 billion in 2022.
F-35 with Israeli avionics
In volume, the United States leads with a budget 38 times larger. France ranks eighth in the world. The Jewish State, which is also a nuclear power, is ranked 15th in this world ranking, but is among the top 10 arms exporters in the world, according to Sipri.
The Iron Dome or Arrow anti-missile system are the best known. But the IDF also has a significant conventional arsenal. It has around 2,200 armored vehicles. This is 10 times more than what the French army has. In addition to these tanks, there are 530 artillery pieces.
The air force has 339 American combat aircraft, including nearly 200 F-16s, F-15s and around fifty F-35s. In July, a new order was placed for 25 F-35s. Israel is the only country in the Middle East that has F-35 and is authorized to install its own avionics system developed by the Elbit Systems group.
Finally, the naval force has six submarines (Dolphin 1 and 2 classes), 14 warships and 48 patrol boats. The navy also has special forces units.
A desire for almost total sovereignty
This power is based on one of the most efficient industries and a desire for almost total sovereignty to defend its interests. According to Sipri, three Israeli companies are among the top 100 weapons manufacturers on the planet: Elbit Systems, which ranks 28th, Rafael (35th) and Israel Aerospace Industries (38th). These three companies produce directly or through subsidiaries both tanks and the Merkava, Iron Dome and Arrow anti-aircraft shields, as well as drones and observation satellites.
Israel Military Industries also produces its small arms. The best known is the Uzi submachine gun, but it also manufactures 5.56 NATO caliber assault rifles (Galil, Tavor, Negev, TAR-21) as well as semi-automatic pistols (Jericho 941, Barak or Desert Eagle).
170,000 soldiers and 465,000 reservists
The particularity of the IDF is also based on compulsory military service. Military service lasts almost three years for men and two years for women. The strength of this army is 170,000 active soldiers (including 126,000 for the Army) with an additional 465,000 reservists who can be mobilized at any time.
Since the October 7 attack, the IDF has withdrawn 350,000 reserve soldiers. In just three days they returned to their unit. If we take the total number of citizens capable of enlisting in the armed forces, the number of soldiers represents 2.4 million men and women.
The power of Hamas and Hezbollah
The IDF faces terrorist groups (Hamas and Hezbollah), obviously less powerful, but very effectively armed, as revealed by a report by French culture It appeared just days before the October 7 attack. Hamas patiently built up an arsenal over a decade. It is made up of recent and modern weapons donated by States or officially purchased in different countries. They come from Syria, Libya, Lebanon, Iran and even China or Eastern countries. Some were recovered during fighting with the Israeli army.
The terrorist group is also equipped with “drones, mines, improvised explosive devices, anti-tank guided missiles, grenade launchers and mortar shells,” Lucas Webber tells AFP. In a video posted on various social networks, Hamas shows how its network transforms pipes into rockets. According to the IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies), Hamas’ Al-Qassam brigades are composed of a total of between 15,000 and 20,000 officers.
The pro-Iran Hezbollah movement, based in southern Lebanon, is much more armed. This militia has all possible conventional weapons, 200,000 missiles (Katioucha, Grad, Shahab) with a range of up to 1,000 km and almost the same number of rockets. Added to this are anti-aircraft batteries and a range of drones, including the Shahed-136 used by Russia in Ukraine and the Mohajer-4, both of Iranian manufacture.
Hezbollah is “bigger, better financed, more professional, better equipped and better armed than Hamas,” insists Lucas Webber. In 2021, this group had 100,000 combatants.
Source: BFM TV
