Israel takes steps to boost defense manufacturing in response to boycott appeals

Israel has reached an agreement with Elbit Systems on an NIS 815 million contract to supply the country’s military with 120mm “Iron Sting” mortars. The mortar munitions are in use by the IDF’s ground forces in the ongoing “Iron Swords” war in Gaza and along its northern border against Hamas and Hezbollah. This agreement with Elbit Systems is part of a push to strengthen production independence amidst calls to boycott ammunition sales to Israel. The Iron Sting munition is a precision-guided 120mm mortar with a range of up to 10 kilometers and a loading time of approximately 15 seconds. In response to recent conflict, Israel has accelerated the acquisition of cutting-edge armaments. On Oct. 7, Hamas launched a fatal attack on Israel, leading to the Israeli government launching a war against the organization in southern territory.