Official: Israel has technological solution to the Russian made S-300 air defense system, which may be sold soon to Syria.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN The Jerusalem Post

Israel sold some $7.5 billion in defense products in 2012 – a record high – the Defense Ministry revealed on Tuesday, but officials voiced concerns that the coming year could see a slump in sales.

Speaking to reporters at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Shmaya Avieli, director of Defense Export and Defense Cooperation (known by its Hebrew acronym, “Sibat”), pointed to an ongoing economic downturn as one factor for decreased projected sales.

He added that with the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq coming to a close, decreased demand for military products by coalition members will have a significant impact on the global defense industry. Additionally, Europe has a stated policy of preferring its own defense suppliers.

“Israel is in the top 10 defense exporters in the world, if not the top five,” Avieli said. According to figures he unveiled, 25 percent of Israeli defense exports involve air defense systems, while sales of satellite platforms and radars collectively made up 24% of the revenue.

Defense exports constitute 10% of Israel’s total industrial exports, not including diamonds, and 75% of Israeli defense manufacturing is slated for export to foreign markets. Although there are fears of a drop, Avieli said he did not expect 2013 to fall short of defense sales in 2011, which recorded some $5.8b. of exports.

Source: http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Israeli-defense-exports-hit-record-high-320850

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