2025 sees record arms export authorizations for Israel and Italy

Israel’s arms exports reached a record $19.2 billion in 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year of growth. Europe accounted for 36% of sales and Asia‑Pacific for 32%, with India the largest Asian buyer at 29% of total Israeli exports, followed by Germany (21%) and the United States (7.8%). Major items included missiles, rockets and air‑defence systems, sold while Israel continues military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran and elsewhere, a conflict that has killed over 72,000 Palestinians and prompted legal scrutiny of arms‑trade compliance.

In Italy, the government authorized €11.1 billion worth of arms‑related movements in 2025, a 19% rise from 2024. Outbound authorisations totalled €9.2 billion, with the Middle East dominating the market and Kuwait emerging as the top recipient. Definitive exports amounted to about €5.1 billion, reflecting a substantial increase over the previous year. Banking activity tied to these exports exceeded €14 billion, with UniCredit, Banca Nazionale del Lavoro and Deutsche Bank handling two‑thirds of the transactions. The surge raises questions about Italy’s adherence to its own export‑control laws and the Arms Trade Treaty.