Defense Ministry Director General Warns of Israeli Defense Firms' Conduct Abroad
Amir Baram, Director General of Israel's Ministry of Defense, has called for an ethical code of conduct among Israeli defense industries competing in the international market. He revealed that senior figures in these companies have been disparaging each other in front of potential foreign clients, damaging Israel's reputation. Baram stated that while not always directly orchestrated by CEOs, these actions are carried out by their representatives and agents.
Baram highlighted the recent multi-billion euro defense deal with Greece as an example of government-to-government agreements for sensitive military equipment. He emphasized that such large-scale deals, involving significant sums and sensitive Israeli armaments, are typically government-led. The agreement with Greece, he explained, is a multi-dimensional strategic and operational cooperation, not solely an arms export, serving shared regional interests against northern adversaries.
Addressing the balance between the IDF's needs and record-breaking defense exports, Baram argued they are complementary, not conflicting. He stated that defense exports can actually enable the IDF to acquire new capabilities, citing the Arrow missile deal with Germany. This deal, he explained, provided crucial funding, boosted production lines for munitions and interceptors, and allowed for a fourfold increase in missile stockpiles used in Operation 'Shagrir Ha'ari'.
Reflecting on the October 7th attacks, Baram, then Deputy Chief of Staff, described his personal experience of encountering the event as an ordinary citizen due to an unexpected overseas trip. He admitted the situation was embarrassing for him personally, the military, and the state. He identified the core failure not as a purely intelligence issue, but as a fundamental misperception of reality regarding the threat posed by Hamas's military build-up on the border.
Regarding the conflict with Iran, Baram believes Israel is winning, though the process is lengthy. He cautioned that another round of escalation could occur, possibly before the US midterm elections, due to Iran's strategic calculations. He stressed that the defense establishment is operating in a near-emergency mode, requiring investment in future capabilities, which he views as a necessary symbiosis between security and the economy. He also touched upon the sensitive issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription, advocating for a smart, faith-based approach rather than solely relying on strict sanctions.
