MWE Correspondent
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel aims to gradually reduce and ultimately end its dependence on United States military assistance over the next decade, signaling a potential long-term shift in the country’s defence and foreign policy posture.
In an interview published on Friday, January 9, 2026, Netanyahu said Israel has reached a stage where it must rely more heavily on its own capabilities rather than external military support. While stressing deep appreciation for decades of American assistance, he said the goal is to steadily scale back that reliance as Israel strengthens its domestic defence industry.
“I want to taper off the military aid within the next 10 years,” Netanyahu said. When asked whether that would eventually mean reducing the support to zero, he replied in the affirmative, though he did not outline a rigid timetable for achieving full independence.
The Israeli leader emphasized that the objective is not to undermine relations with Washington but to reflect what he described as Israel’s “coming of age” as a technologically advanced and militarily capable state. Israel, he said, has developed sophisticated defence systems and production capacity that allow it to take greater responsibility for its own security.
Netanyahu revealed that he raised the issue during recent discussions with former U.S. President Donald Trump, noting that Israel remains deeply grateful for the assistance it has received from the United States over many years. However, he argued that the evolution of Israel’s military and technological capabilities makes it reasonable to plan for reduced reliance in the future.
In December, Netanyahu announced that Israel plans to invest approximately 350 billion shekels, equivalent to about $110 billion, to expand and strengthen an independent arms manufacturing sector. The investment is intended to boost domestic production of advanced weaponry and defence technologies, while also reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
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The comments come against the backdrop of a long-standing military assistance framework between Washington and Israel. In 2016, the two governments signed a 10-year memorandum of understanding covering the period through September 2028. Under the agreement, Israel receives $38 billion in military assistance, including $33 billion in grants for defence procurement and $5 billion dedicated to missile defence programs.
Israel’s defence sector has grown significantly in recent years. Defence exports rose by 13 percent last year, driven largely by international demand for Israeli military technology, including its multi-layered aerial and missile defence systems. Analysts say the growth of exports reflects both increasing global interest in Israeli technology and the country’s ambition to become more self-sufficient.
Observers note that Netanyahu’s remarks do not signal an immediate policy change but rather a long-term strategic vision. The United States remains Israel’s closest ally and primary security partner, and military cooperation between the two countries continues across intelligence sharing, joint exercises and advanced weapons development.
However, the prime minister’s comments suggest Israel is preparing for a future in which it plays a more independent role in meeting its defence needs. Supporters argue that greater self-reliance could give Israel more strategic flexibility, while critics caution that reducing U.S. aid could carry political and security risks.
