ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on arms procurement issues and concerns inside Israel. It deals with ways to effect a better defense acquisition program with regard to the three central actors — the IDF, the military industries and the Ministry of Defense. Defense Minister Arens has instructed the IDF to include the Arrow anti-ballistic missile defense project in its multi-year work plan. IDF-military industry cooperation must focus on force-building with high-tech weapons systems. This logically requires beefed up R&D budgets, and the IDF itself has to supply some of the necessary funds. IDF officers have closely cooperated with systems developers in the various firms to give Israel's industry a marketing edge in the field. Israel's military industry has a good deal of practical experience in upgrading platforms based on ongoing joint operations with the IDF. In Israel as well, defense firms will be forced to merge, forming large conglomerates with substantial economic power to compete successfully in the international market.
