The IDF is confronting a growing budget crisis that is already affecting military operations, with several tank battalions set to be taken out of service amid shortages of spare parts and warnings that critical ammunition production lines could soon shut down, Kan Reshet Bet reported Thursday morning.
According to the report, senior officials in the IDF Intelligence Directorate have cautioned that the financial shortfall could ultimately undermine the military’s operational preparedness.
Defense officials are also warning of imminent disruptions to domestic ammunition manufacturing. Elbit Systems could stop producing shells for Merkava tanks within days, while the artillery shell production line is reportedly scheduled to cease operations in October and the mortar shell production line could follow in November.
Officials warned that shutting down the production lines could have consequences extending well beyond the immediate ammunition shortage. Skilled employees could be lost, specialized machinery could become unavailable, and accumulated professional expertise could disappear, potentially making it extremely difficult to restore production if the ammunition is urgently needed in the future.
{Matzav.com}
