GINC Defence
Nation

Israel

Defence ministry: Ministry of Defense (on government.ginc.org). Services: Ground Forces, Israeli Navy, Israeli Air Force, C4I and Cyber Defense Directorate.

Israel on government.ginc.org · companies.ginc.org (when it opens)

Active personnel, published
160,000
World Bank armed forces total: 178,000 (2020)
Reserves, published
–
Whole security apparatus, published
203,000
Headcount published for 15 per cent of services, agencies and formations
Active platforms
3,593
Land 2,588 · Air 926 · Sea 79
Median year in service
1978
Interquartile 1976–1994, weighted by count
Domestic share
48 per cent
Of active platforms with a known origin
Supplier concentration
0.45
Herfindahl index of origin across 10 supplier nations
Nuclear warheads
90
SIPRI Yearbook 2025 estimate

Force fingerprint

The national security structure sized by active headcount, always from the head of state: row 1 the head of state and government, row 2 the governing bodies (grey, each as wide as the forces beneath it), row 3 the services and agencies coloured by security domain, row 4 the major commands, row 5 the major formations. A hatched segment is a body whose headcount is not published.

  • Land
  • Sea
  • Air
  • Space
  • Cyber
  • Strategic
  • Intelligence
  • Internal security
  • Joint
  • Headcount not published

SVG · PNG

Order of battle

The whole national security structure from the head of state down to major formations. Bars are as wide as their headcount; the state and government bodies are drawn grey, as the government directory has them. Click a bar to zoom into it.

Known unknowns

  • Mossad, the Israel Security Agency and Military Intelligence publish no headcount or budget; their figures are null.
  • The IDF does not publish its active or reserve strength; figures are IISS estimates via Wikipedia.
  • Unit 8200 is acknowledged by the IDF, but its size and structure are not published.
  • The IDF's division order of battle and the subordination of reserve divisions change with operations; some reserve divisions (e.g. the 99th) have no stable public record and are omitted.
  • The Israeli Navy's flotillas and the Air Force's wings are out of scope or not officially enumerated.
  • Israel does not acknowledge any strategic or nuclear force; none is modelled.

Equipment fingerprint

Holdings by taxonomy: row 1 the ministry and its services, row 2 the six domains, row 3 the categories, row 4 each platform held as wide as its count, row 5 its split into active, reserve and on order. A hatched segment is a platform held with no published count.

Holdings

One row per platform held. Each figure is a claim with a source: the most recent official figure where one is published, else the most recent Wikipedia equipment list, else SIPRI's delivered total. Figures are never averaged.

97 of 97 platforms
ReserveOn orderFigure from
Land · Main battle tank
Merkava Mark 4MMain battle tank400Israel1978Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
Merkava Mark IVMain battle tank400Israel1978Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
Merkava Mark 3Main battle tankheldIsrael1978Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
Land · Infantry fighting vehicle
Eitan AFVInfantry fighting vehicleheldIsrael2023Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
Land · Armoured personnel carrier
M113Armoured personnel carrier500United States1960Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
NamerArmoured personnel carrier290Israel2008Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
IDF AchzaritArmoured personnel carrier100IsraelWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
NagmachonArmoured personnel carrierheldIsraelWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
NakpadonArmoured personnel carrierheldIsraelWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
Land · Reconnaissance and light armour
Wolf Armoured VehicleReconnaissance and light armour300Israel2004Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
BRDM-2Reconnaissance and light armour50Soviet Union1962SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Otokar AkrepReconnaissance and light armour30Türkiye1994Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
Land · Self-propelled artillery
M109Self-propelled artillery250United StatesWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
SIGMA 155Self-propelled artilleryheldIsraelWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
Land · Towed artillery
152 mm howitzer 2A65Towed artilleryheldSoviet Union1987Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
EXTRA artillery rocket systemTowed artilleryheldIsraelWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
Iron BeamTowed artilleryheldIsraelWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
PULSTowed artilleryheldIsraelWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
Land · Rocket artillery and MLRS
M270 Multiple Launch Rocket SystemRocket artillery and MLRS30United States1983Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
LAR-160Rocket artillery and MLRSheldIsraelWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
LORARocket artillery and MLRSheldIsraelWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
Land · Mortars (120 mm+)
M106Mortars (120 mm+)54United StatesSIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Iron DomeMortars (120 mm+)9Israel2005Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
CardomMortars (120 mm+)heldIsrael2003Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
K6Mortars (120 mm+)heldIsrael1991Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
M-66Mortars (120 mm+)heldIsrael1966Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
Land · Anti-tank missile system
LAHATAnti-tank missile systemheldIsrael1992Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
MAPATSAnti-tank missile systemheldIsraelWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
NimrodAnti-tank missile systemheldIsraelWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
SpikeAnti-tank missile systemheldIsrael1997Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
Land · Ground-based air defence (medium and long range)
David's SlingGround-based air defence (medium and long range)heldIsrael2015Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
MIM-104 PatriotGround-based air defence (medium and long range)heldUnited States1981SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Land · Engineering and bridging
IDF Caterpillar D9Engineering and bridging175United StatesWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
AIL Desert RaiderEngineering and bridgingheldIsraelWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
Puma armored engineering vehicleEngineering and bridgingheldIsraelWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
Sea · Destroyer
W and Z-class destroyerIsraeli NavyINS Eilat (K-40), INS Yaffo (K-42)Destroyer2United Kingdom1943Wikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Hunt-class destroyerIsraeli NavyINS Haifa (K-38)Destroyer1United Kingdom1940Wikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Sea · Frigate
River-class frigateIsraeli NavyINS Mivtach (K-28), INS Misgav (K-30), INS Miznak (K-32)Frigate3Norway1942Wikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Sea · Corvette and OPV
Sa'ar 72-class corvetteIsraeli NavyINS (??), INS (??), INS (??), INS (??), INS (??)Corvette and OPV5IsraelWikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Sa'ar 6-class corvetteIsraeli NavyINS Magen, INS Oz, INS Atzmaut, INS NitzachonCorvette and OPV4IsraelWikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Sa'ar 5-class corvetteIsraeli NavyINS Eilat (501), INS Lahav (502), INS Hanit (503)Corvette and OPV3IsraelWikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Flower-class corvetteIsraeli NavyINS HaShomer and also INS Wedgwood (K-18), INS Haganah (K-20)Corvette and OPV2United Kingdom1941Wikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
United States Revenue Cutter ServiceIsraeli NavyINS Hatikvah (K-22)Corvette and OPV1Unknown1790Wikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Sea · Fast attack and patrol craft
Sa'ar 4-class missile boatIsraeli NavyINS Reshef, INS Keshet, INS Romach, INS Kidon, INS Tarshish, INS Yaffo and 4 moreFast attack and patrol craft10GreeceWikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boatIsraeli NavyINS Romach, INS Keshet, INS Hetz, INS Kidon, INS Tarshish, INS Yaffo and 4 moreFast attack and patrol craft10IsraelWikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Sa'ar 2-class missile boatIsraeli NavyINS Mivtach (311), INS Miznak (312), INS Misgav (313), INS Eilat (321), INS Haifa (322), INS Akko (323)Fast attack and patrol craft6IsraelWikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Sa'ar 3-class missile boatIsraeli NavyINS Sa'ar (331), INS Sufa (332), INS Ga'ash (333), INS Herev (341), INS Hanit (342), INS Hetz (343)Fast attack and patrol craft6IsraelWikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
harbour defence motor launchIsraeli NavyINS Dror (M-21), INS Sa'ar (M-23), INS Tirtza (M-35)Fast attack and patrol craft3United Kingdom1940Wikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Fairmile B-class motor launchIsraeli NavyINS HaPortzim (M-17)Fast attack and patrol craft1United Kingdom1940Wikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Sea · Mine warfare
R boatIsraeli NavyINS Galia (M-31)Mine warfare1UnknownWikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Sea · Nuclear-powered submarine
Dolphin-class submarineIsraeli NavyINS Tanin, INS Rahav, INS Drakon, INS Dolphin, INS Leviathan, INS TkumaNuclear-powered submarine6Germany1998Wikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Sea · Conventional submarine
Dakar-class submarineIsraeli NavyINS Dakar, INS (??), INS (??)Conventional submarine3UnknownWikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Gal-class submarineIsraeli NavyINS Gal, INS Tanin, INS RahavConventional submarine3United KingdomWikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
T-class submarineIsraeli NavyINS Leviatan (Tz-75), INS Dakar (Tz-77), INS Dolphin (Tz-79)Conventional submarine3United Kingdom1938Wikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
S-class submarineIsraeli NavyINS Tanin (Tz-71), INS Rahav (Tz-73)Conventional submarine2United Kingdom1931Wikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Sea · Replenishment and auxiliary
General Frank S. Besson, Jr.-class Logistics Support VesselIsraeli NavyINS Nahshon, INS KomemiyutReplenishment and auxiliary2Unknown1987Wikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Stollergrund-class multi-purpose shipIsraeli NavyINS Bat Yam, INS Bat Galim 3Replenishment and auxiliary2UnknownWikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Air · Fighter and multirole
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon F-16C "Barak"Fighter and multirole136United States1979Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon F-16A "Netz"Fighter and multirole107United States1979Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon F-16I "Sufa"Fighter and multirole100United States1979Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
McDonnell Douglas F-15 EagleIsraeli Air ForceFighter and multirole87United States1976Wikipedia: Israeli Air Force
McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle F-15IIsraeli Air ForceFighter and multirole66United States1988Wikipedia: Israeli Air Force
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II F-35IIsraeli Air ForceFighter and multirole48United States2015Wikipedia: Israeli Air Force
F-15EX Eagle II F-15IAIsraeli Air ForceFighter and multiroleheldUnited StatesWikipedia: Israeli Air Forcelow
Lockheed Martin F-16V ViperFighter and multiroleheldUnited StatesSIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Air · Strike and bomber
PC-461-class submarine chaserIsraeli NavyINS Nogah (K-26), INS Nogah 2 (K-22)Strike and bomber2United States1940Wikipedia: List of ships of the Israeli Navy
Air · Attack helicopter
Hughes AH-64 Apache AH-64A "Peten"Attack helicopter30United States1984Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
Hughes AH-64 Apache AH-64D "Saraph"Attack helicopter17United States1984Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
Air · Tanker
Lockheed KC-130 Hercules KC-130HIsraeli Air ForceTanker7United StatesWikipedia: Israeli Air Force
Boeing 707 KC-707 "Saknai"Tanker5United States1958Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
Lockheed C-130 Hercules KC-130H "Qarnaf"Tanker3United States1956Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
KC-46AIsraeli Air ForceTanker2United States2019Wikipedia: Israeli Air Force
Air · Airborne early warning and control
Beechcraft Bonanza A-36 "Khofit"Airborne early warning and control22United States1947Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
Air Tractor AT-802 AT-802FAirborne early warning and control8United States1993Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
Gulfstream G550 CAEWIsraeli Air ForceAirborne early warning and control2United States2003Wikipedia: Israeli Air Force
Air · Maritime patrol
IAI 1124 Westwind 1124N "Shahaf"Maritime patrol3Israel1978Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
Air · ISR and electronic warfare aircraft
Beechcraft 200 Super King Air B200Israeli Air ForceISR and electronic warfare aircraft18United StatesWikipedia: Israeli Air Force
Beechcraft RC-12 GuardrailISR and electronic warfare aircraft7Unknown1974SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
Gulfstream G550 SEMAIsraeli Air ForceISR and electronic warfare aircraft4United States2003Wikipedia: Israeli Air Force
IAI Eitan Heron-TPIsraeli Air ForceISR and electronic warfare aircraftheldIsraelWikipedia: Israeli Air Forcelow
Air · Trainer
Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master M-346iIsraeli Air ForceTrainer30Italy2011Wikipedia: Israeli Air Force
G-120A-1 "Snunit"Trainer27GermanyWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
T-6 Texan II T-6AIsraeli Air ForceTrainer20United StatesWikipedia: Israeli Air Force
AgustaWestland AW119 Koala AW119KxIsraeli Air ForceTrainer8Italy2000Wikipedia: Israeli Air Force
Bell 206 206B "Saifan"TrainerheldUnited StatesWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forceslow
Air · Transport aircraft
Lockheed C-130 Hercules C-130E "Qarnaf"Transport aircraft12United States1956Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
Boeing 707 707 "Re'em"Transport aircraft8United States1958Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
C-130J-30Israeli Air ForceTransport aircraft7United States1999Wikipedia: Israeli Air Force
Air · Transport and utility helicopter
Sikorsky UH-60 Black HawkIsraeli Air ForceTransport and utility helicopter49United States1979Wikipedia: Israeli Air Force
S-70Transport and utility helicopter48United StatesWikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
Sikorsky H-53 Sea Stallion CH-53 "Yas'ur 2000"Transport and utility helicopter36United States1966Wikipedia: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces
Dauphin 2Transport and utility helicopter7France1989SIPRI Arms Transfers Databaselow
CH-53K King StallionTransport and utility helicopter–12United States2022SIPRI Arms Transfers Database
Air · ISR UAV
Aeronautics Defense OrbiterIsraeli Air ForceISR UAVheldIsraelWikipedia: Israeli Air Forcelow
Elbit Hermes 450Israeli Air ForceISR UAVheldIsrael1998Wikipedia: Israeli Air Forcelow
Elbit Hermes 900Israeli Air ForceISR UAVheldIsrael2011Wikipedia: Israeli Air Forcelow
Heron-1Israeli Air ForceISR UAVheldIsraelWikipedia: Israeli Air Forcelow

Suppliers

Origin nations by share of active platforms, the domestic bar first. Colours follow the origin highlight: domestic, allied or treaty partner, other foreign.

Israel

United States

Soviet Union

Italy

Germany

Türkiye

United Kingdom

Greece

France

Norway

1,536

1,853

50

38

33

30

17

10

7

3

Sources for this nation

  • sipri-at
  • wikipedia:israeli-air-force
  • wikipedia:list-of-equipment-of-the-israel-defense-forces
  • wikipedia:list-of-ships-of-the-israeli-navy

Structure: ref/units/ISR.yaml, every body with the source that acknowledges it. See sources and methodology.