Ministry of Defense
7A Street
Hakirya, Tel Aviv 61909
Tel: 972-3-697-5774
Fax: 972-3-697-6717
The Israel Defense Force [IDF] has no commander in chief designated as such. The Basic Law: The Army, 1976, vested command in the government. In fact, the minister of defense acts as the highest authority over the IDF and is its link to civilian political authorities. The minister of defense was a civilian (although usually a retired military officer). The cabinet is required to give prior approval to major military policies and operations. Under normal circumstances, the standing Foreign Affairs and Security Committee of the cabinet exercises this responsibility. The invasion of Lebanon in 1982 demonstrated, however, that a domineering minister of defense could, by misleading the cabinet or withholding information, act contrary to the government's wishes. Periodic reports on the status of the military were provided to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, through its Foreign Affairs and National Security Committee and on budgetary matters through the Finance Committee.
Within the Ministry of Defense, the senior civilian officer beneath the minister is the director general, who supervises defense production, infrastructure, the budget, and other administrative and technical matters. As the supreme commander of the IDF, however, the minister of defense can intervene in all IDF matters.
In 2000 the defense budget was cut by approximately 140
million USD, and now accounts for less than 18 percent of the
GOI overall budget, the lowest percentage since the
establishment of the State of Israel. The MOD budget has become
less flexible over the years due to large fixed components, i.e.
rehabilitation and compensation payments; to sharp increases in
operational costs, and growing R&D expenses, making less funding
available for procurements. At the same time, the US Defense
Aid package to Israel is growing as part of a bi-lateral
agreement to compensate Israel for the reduction in U.S.
civilian aid. As a result of these developments, the MOD has
little choice but to increase its procurements in the U.S.
The Israel Ministry of Defense has been
shifting some of its procurements from its local currency
(shekel) budget to its US Foreign Military Assistance (FMF)
budget. This development has been the result of recurring
reductions in Israel's defense budgets and increases in US
defense aid. The diversion of procurements from the local
market to the U.S. has resulted in strong protests from local
manufacturers, some of which have in the course of the years
become dependent on MOD orders.
The major goals of the civilian defense system are to
develop and prepare infrastructure and resources for implementing IDF
objectives; to design and implement procurement, manufacture,
development, construction, and service arrangements in order to
give the IDF the means it needs to do its job; to rehabilitate disabled
veterans and members of bereaved families; to develop and administer
the defense export system; to administer, plan, and control the
defense budget; and to handle all civilian aspects of the defense
system.
The Minister of Defense heads and operates the defense
system. The minister is aided by assistants, advisors, and a staff
directly subordinate to him. These units are responsible for
coordination of operations in Judea-Samaria and the Gaza District, the
emergency economic system, internal auditing of the defense system,
Youth and Nahal, soldiers' ombudsman, rural settlement affairs, and
infrastructure, inter alia.
Civilian agencies include the Ministry of Defense (MoD),
embracing all MoD agencies and divisions, overseas missions and offices,
and Ministry-affiliated units and corporations. The affiliates are
Israel Military Industries (IMI), and the Armament Development Authority (Rafael). The
corporations - State-owned enterprises under Ministry responsibility -
include Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), Shekem, Beit Shemesh Engines
(BSE) and Gappim-Israel Orthopedic Enterprises (rehabilitation and
prosthetics).
Several major staff agencies assist the Ministry Director-General in
planning, directing, and evaluating the activities of the
specific-activity divisions and helping them discharge their duties. The
major staff agencies include the Bureau of the Director-General; the
Deputy Director-General for Organization and Administration; the Deputy
Director-General for International Security Assistance; the legal
advisor to the defense system; the economic advisor to the defense
system; Foreign Affairs; the Organization, Control, and Data Department;
the Human Resources Division; and the Administration and Property
Department.
Procurement and Production Directorate (PPD)
The Procurement and Production Directorate (PPD) handles procurement and
oversees the manufacture of systems and products, maintenance services
for the military and civilian defense systems, and ministry agencies'
overseas procurement activities. The PPD also oversees the development
of the country's military-industrial infrastructure, thus facilitating
more extensive and intensive local production and reducing defense
imports. The PPD operates with the defense system's future needs and the
country's industrial-technological potential in mind. The PPD also
administers the maritime and air transport of equipment and goods
acquired abroad for MoD and other government ministries, as well as
equipment and goods exported from Israel.
The PPD is composed of five executive and several staff units. Four
executive units, organized as divisions, deal with procurement. Each of
these (Air, Land, Maintenance, and Sea) coordinates its operations with
a corresponding logistical center in one of the IDF branches, two or
three specific-area systems, and one or two branches located in IDF
logistical centers, in charge of rapid procurement entailing small-scale
expenditure. The "office" or unit is the basic entity that performs most
procurement coordination work, specializing in procurement areas
according to types of equipment and technologies. Each such unit has a
corresponding procurement agency in one of the IDF logistical units, and
several such units are organized within a divisional framework. The
fifth division - Overseas Handling and Transport - arranges the
handling and shipping of import and export cargoes of the defense
system and other government ministries, draws up contracts and
agreements for the purchase of air and maritime shipping and handling
services, and is responsible for paying import taxes (customs).
Directorate of Defense R&D
The Directorate of Defense R&D is responsible for sponsoring and enhancing the infrastructure of advanced
scientific and technological know-how, facilitating the development and
enhancement of high-impact war materiel and auxiliary combat equipment;
sponsoring and implementing advanced R&D for the creation of
technological opportunities as a basis for the future development of war
mat‚riel and auxiliary combat equipment; commissioning, monitoring,
conducting, and supervising defense R&D, including follow-up and control
of project performance; and maintaining and fostering relations with
academic R&D institutions in Israel and with similar entities in
friendly countries. The directorate, jointly run by the MoD and the IDF,
is composed of specialized professional offices and major staff units.
Sources and Resources
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/israel/agency/mod.htm
Maintained by Webmaster
Updated Wednesday, May 24, 2000 12:15:01 PM