TEL AVIV, Israel, July 25 (UPI) -- Israeli defense and security systems export deals with North America, Europe, Latin America and Africa were worth $3.5 billion last year.
According to figures from the Defense Exports and Defense Cooperation division of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the Asia-Pacific region was also a major customer area and accounted for $4 billion in sales.
"Despite the global economic crisis we witnessed a growth in exports, mainly due to the variety of advanced technologies produced by the Israeli industries," said Shmaia Avieli, head of the division, which carries the acronym SIBAT.
"The Israeli security industry is a testament to the fact that state investments in security research and development strengthen the IDF [Israeli military], create more jobs and strengthen the economy in general. The credit goes to the industries, the Israeli innovation and the good relations with countries around the world."
Israeli officials say the country's security/defense exports amount to 10 percent of industrial exports and that 71 percent of defense/security product production is aimed at the export market.
