Jerusalem, 14 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s government approved more than NIS 1 billion ($334 million) in budget adjustments to accelerate defense procurement, including funding drawn from a five-year development program for the country’s Arab communities.
The decision was passed in a telephone vote among ministers Wednesday morning. The procurement was classified as urgent, with the government resolution withholding details of the purchase from public disclosure.
The main expenditure is expected to support the acquisition of 12 Apache attack helicopters for the Israeli Air Force. Israel has pursued the aircraft for several years, and the United States approved a potential sale valued at $3.8 billion in January.
Under the budget changes, NIS 964 million ($313 million) will be taken from allocations for the development of Arab society over the next three years. The planned reductions amount to NIS 169 million ($55 million) in 2027, NIS 342 million ($111 million) in 2028 and NIS 453 million ($147 million) in 2029.
A further NIS 68 million ($22 million) will be redirected to the Defense Ministry for 2026 from funds set aside for government interest payments and fees, bringing the total adjustment to approximately NIS 1.03 billion ($334 million).
The move comes as the government balances immediate military requirements against civilian spending commitments. The five-year development plan for Arab society has already faced budget reallocations. In July, ministers approved shifting approximately NIS 497 million ($161 million) from the program to the police and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) to address crime in Arab communities.
The latest decision also follows months of tension between the Finance and Defense ministries over the scale of military spending. Their negotiations over the 2026 defense budget centered on the Defense Ministry’s demand for additional funds to expand procurement, replenish weapons inventories and strengthen military readiness.
