A severe budget crisis inside Israel’s defense establishment has forced the IDF to sideline several tank battalions because of shortages of replacement parts, while unpaid Defense Ministry obligations to Israel’s defense industries have climbed above 15 billion shekels. Kan News reports.
The shortage has already begun affecting operational capabilities. Several tank battalions have reportedly been taken out of service because the military does not have the spare parts needed to keep their armored vehicles operational.
The financial problems extend well beyond the tank corps. Hundreds of military Humvees damaged during fighting have reportedly not been restored to service, while Elbit Systems has warned that production lines manufacturing shells for Merkava tanks could be forced to stop because payments have not arrived.
The crisis is also affecting the IDF Intelligence Directorate. According to the report, intelligence personnel have been forced to delete files because the military lacks sufficient digital storage capacity and does not have the necessary budget to expand it.
The Defense Ministry’s accumulated obligations to Israeli defense companies now exceed 15 billion shekels, with the crisis blamed on delays in transferring funds from the Finance Ministry. Defense companies have warned that continued delays could threaten production lines and their ability to meet commitments to suppliers.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
