Israeli Defense Ministry CEO Warns Budget Delays Jeopardize Military Strength

Amir Baram, CEO of Israel's Ministry of Defense and retired Brigadier General, sharply criticized the Budget Department of the Finance Ministry for delaying the Israel Defense Forces' long-term force buildup plan. Speaking at the 22nd Herzliya Conference organized by the Institute for Policy and Strategy at Reichman University on June 7, 2023, Baram warned that bureaucratic inertia threatens the implementation of the approved 350 billion shekel, decade-long military strengthening program endorsed by the Prime Minister and Defense Minister.

Baram highlighted the contrast between Israel's slow progress and Iran's expected massive military investments starting in the second half of 2026, which could accelerate Iran's capabilities. He stressed that while Iran poses an existential threat to Israel, the United States views it as a regional challenge, prioritizing the Indo-Pacific and China instead. Baram explained that the U.S. approach is a calculated risk management strategy amid global attention shifts and military resource constraints, especially with Taiwan tensions.

He also revealed efforts to forge a new security-economic front with Gulf states and other regional partners, including India, the UAE, Greece, and Cyprus, leveraging Israel's technological and operational strengths alongside Gulf financial power. This broader alliance aims to diversify Israel's strategic support beyond the U.S., which remains a key partner. Baram noted that Israel's strength enables the U.S. to focus resources on Asia, forming the basis for a forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding on security cooperation.

To maintain air defense supply continuity amid budget delays, Baram said he had to use emergency powers to bypass bottlenecks, secure critical raw materials, expand local production lines, and recruit specialized personnel. This ensured growing stocks of missiles, David's Sling, and Iron Dome systems despite ongoing conflict.

Finally, Baram criticized the Finance Ministry for obstructing the implementation of the Mor Yosef Committee's recommendations on rehabilitation for war casualties, emphasizing that Israeli society will not accept delays or gaps in supporting its defenders.