Israel plans transition to a growth economy: Budget 2026 in focus!
On October 28, 2025, Israel's Finance Minister Smotrich will discuss the transition to a growth-oriented economy and the defense budget.

Israel plans transition to a growth economy: Budget 2026 in focus!
October 28, 2025 is a day full of news from various areas that might interest our readers. An important topic concerns the economic situation in Israel, where the Minister of Finance Betsalel Smotrich held a crucial meeting. As i24news reports, everything revolved around the upcoming budget for 2026. In his speech he promised Smotrich called for a shift from a wartime to a growth economy and emphasized the need for fiscal discipline and responsibility.
This expanded working group, which included senior officials from the ministry and representatives of the Bank of Israel, discussed the necessary steps to reform the economy for the coming year. Smotrich underlined the burdens that citizens have borne over the past two years due to the ongoing conflict and announced moderate tax breaks for workers. The focus is on moving to a budget that also optimizes defense while reducing the cost of living.
Defense budget under the microscope
Another important item on the agenda is the military budget, which according to defense.gouv.fr is to be increased by a further 3.5 billion euros. This leads to a total increase in the army's budget by 6.7 billion euros compared to the previous year. It is noteworthy that defense spending grew by a whopping 77% between 2017 and 2026. This development is also reflected in the recruitment of almost 40,000 new employees, including a significant 14,000 reservists.
In particular, the budget for armament programs will be increased to 14 billion euros, which is over 30% more than in 2025. The Minister of Defense lists priorities such as:
- 2,4 Milliarden Euro für Munitionen
- 600 Millionen Euro für Drohnen und Roboter
- 750 Millionen Euro für militärische Fähigkeiten im Weltraum
- 900 Millionen Euro für Luftverteidigung
- Über 600 Millionen Euro für Cyberabwehr
These significant amounts are of great importance not only for the defense industry, but also for the overall stability of the region.
Digital challenges and social media
Overall, today shows that there are numerous developments to follow, from financial strategies to digital experiences. As the world continues to turn, the course is set for a future that brings both challenges and opportunities.