Internal Document Reveals: Defense Ministry Draws Inspiration from China | Exclusive

An internal Defense Ministry document obtained by N12 recommends that Israel adopt principles from China's buildup program, including the concept of 'resilience before efficiency'. The recommendation stems from disappointment with US policy and the global munitions challenge. The document notes that the US is 'lagging' behind China. This comes against the backdrop of Netanyahu's intention to add 350 billion shekels to the defense budget, a plan facing opposition from the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Israel.

An internal document from the Israeli Defense Ministry, obtained by N12, reveals that Israel is reexamining its armament policy and drawing inspiration from the Chinese model. The document, written by the Defense Export Agency (Sibat), recommends adopting a 'resilience before efficiency' approach as an alternative to the Western model. The recommendation stems, among other things, from disappointment with the policies of the United States, Israel's closest ally, and from the global challenge in the munitions field. According to the document, the US is 'lagging' behind China in many areas of preparedness for a potential conflict. The document describes how China built a 'powerful hybrid system that mobilizes the market for its political and military goals'. The review is taking place against the backdrop of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's intention to grant an additional 350 billion shekels to the defense establishment over the next decade, a plan facing opposition from the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Israel. The discussions follow Netanyahu's 'Sparta speech' from September 2025, in which he argued that Israel would need to adapt to an economy with autarkic characteristics. However, US President Donald Trump downplayed concerns over the weekend, saying that the US has nearly unlimited stockpiles of some types of ammunition.