Israeli Defense Ministry Chief Warns Budget Delays Jeopardize Military Readiness Amid Iranian Threat

Amir Baram, Director General of Israel's Ministry of Defense and a retired general, issued a stark warning at the 22nd Herzliya Conference about prolonged budget delays hindering the implementation of the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) decade-long $350 billion force buildup plan. Approved by the Prime Minister and Defense Minister, this plan aims to enhance Israel's military capabilities, but bureaucratic obstacles, particularly from the Finance Ministry's Budget Department, are causing dangerous postponements.

Baram sharply criticized the Finance Ministry for treating the military buildup as a mere "accounting event," undermining the government's ability to execute strategic decisions. He highlighted the looming threat from Iran, which is expected to invest massive sums in military development in the latter half of 2026, amounts comparable to Israel's entire ten-year plan. Baram warned that continued delays pose an unprecedented risk to Israel's security preparedness.

Addressing the Iranian threat, Baram noted that emerging international agreements could funnel hundreds of billions of dollars to Tehran, accelerating its military growth. He stressed the need for Israel to develop a new regional security architecture, primarily in partnership with the United States, its key strategic ally. The recent conflict underscored the urgency of countering Iran's expansion and fostered shared interests among a broader coalition including India, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, and Cyprus, combining Israeli technology with Gulf financial power.

Baram also reflected on U.S. policy under former President Donald Trump, emphasizing that Israel should view Washington's strategic focus shift to Asia and Taiwan as calculated risk management rather than neglect. He revealed that a new security partnership agreement with the U.S. is currently being formulated to secure long-term strategic benefits.

To mitigate immediate challenges, the Defense Ministry has taken emergency measures to accelerate interceptor missile production by addressing supply bottlenecks and critical raw material procurement, increasing stocks of Arrow, David's Sling, and Iron Dome systems during ongoing hostilities. Finally, Baram called for urgent implementation of the Mor Yosef Committee's recommendations on treating wounded soldiers, condemning Finance Ministry obstacles and affirming that Israeli society will not tolerate neglect of its veterans.