Israel Considers Chinese Military Model to Enhance Defense Preparedness Amid Budget Boost

Israel's Ministry of Defense is reevaluating its military armament strategy by examining key principles from China's defense model, according to an internal document obtained by N12 and published on Monday. This reassessment comes amid challenges faced by the U.S. military in arms supply and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to allocate an additional 350 billion shekels to Israel's defense budget over the next decade.

The document, authored by the Defense Export Administration (SIBAT) and titled "China's Technological and Industrial Policy," recommends adopting central elements of China's military strengthening program. The ministry cites disappointment with U.S. policies in meeting prolonged conflict armament needs as a driving factor. It emphasizes lessons from recent wars, including the Ukraine conflict and tensions with Iran, highlighting the critical importance of broad industrial capacity and secure, stable supply chains to sustain military operations during extended warfare.

The report portrays China as having surpassed the U.S. in several areas related to conflict preparedness by integrating industry with political and military objectives, describing Beijing's approach as a "powerful hybrid system" that mobilizes the market for political and military goals. While acknowledging potential drawbacks such as resource waste and innovation risks, the document notes China's vast industrial base provides a significant advantage in shaping global dynamics.

Consequently, the Ministry of Defense is considering shifting its focus from Western models prioritizing efficiency and cost-cutting to a resilience-first approach. The Defense Export Administration stresses that the West can no longer rely solely on free-market mechanisms against China's hybrid system subordinating markets to party goals. Although Israel is not in direct conflict with China, the multiplicity of potential conflict arenas and challenges necessitates revisiting Israel's armament concepts to ensure sustained ammunition supply and readiness for prolonged wars.