Israel 'sexport of defense-related products registered an all time record in 2012 totaling $7.4 billion, compared to $5.8 billion in 2011, according to Defense Ministry data.
The main export destinations were markets in Asia and the Pacific Ocean. The two most lucrative deals were the sale of a satellite and advanced spy planes to Italy .
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Shmaya Avieli, head of the Foreign Defense Assistance and Defense Export Department estimated that export in 2013 will total some $4.3 billion adding that Israel is considering new deals with Turkey ."We never halted transactions with Turkey," he said.
Despite the surge in export, 2012 saw a decrease in the revenues of small and medium industries which totaled $500 million.
According to the Defense Ministry, this is the result of a global trend of growing reliance on local industries, particularly in Asia and South America.
- The defense establishment admitted to difficulties in marketing various components of the Iron Dome system. "We are making efforts to market them as well as a system that intercepts anti-tank missiles. We have to be patient," Avieli said.