Former Air Force commander Amir Eshel: "Israel does not have an exit strategy from the war"

"Israel does not have an exit strategy from the war, and therefore all its military achievements, both in the north and the south, could be undermined. Israeli politics is in disarray."

This is what Amir Eshel, the former commander of the Israeli Air Force, stated at the Calcalist and Bank Leumi conference in Miami.

In a conversation with Sophie Shulman of Calcalist, Eshel observed: "This is a war being waged without an exit strategy, which could nullify any military achievements. Reaching a political solution will be extremely difficult. The American president-elect Trump wants to end wars and there is political momentum to resolve conflicts with both Hamas and Hezbollah. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that once these wars conclude, our focus must shift back to Iran—its nuclear ambitions, its export of terrorism, and other related threats. Now is the time to conclude this war."

When asked about the use of new technologies in the current conflicts—both Israel's and the Russia-Ukraine war—and their impact on defense budgets, Eshel replied:

"There is a new global opportunity for commercial defense technologies. With multiple wars, rising global threats, increased defense budgets, and a wave of breakthrough technologies, we are witnessing a surge in commercial initiatives for defense solutions."

He added: "This is not a passing trend. The defense industry is increasingly adopting commercial initiatives to develop companies and solutions that address critical gaps in military capabilities worldwide. In Israel, our defense industry is unique. Many individuals transitioning into the sector have recently served in the military. However, military institutions must learn to collaborate with commercial companies without overstepping. The military establishment should identify challenges and needs but minimize interference in companies' operations, as excessive involvement can hinder progress."

Eshel emphasized patience for start-ups entering the defense sector: "The pace in defense is not the same as in the tech world, and start-ups must adapt to military processes. We are at a pivotal moment where the combination of emerging security needs and a business-oriented approach will have a significant impact. The goal is not always to create the most advanced product but one that is effective and functional. We will see more dual-use products—those with both security and civilian applications. Start-ups are well-positioned to bring an approach focused on smaller-scale, dual-use solutions."

Regarding Israel's opportunities in the defense-commercial market, Eshel remarked:

"The potential here could surpass even that of the cyber industry. Israel’s defense sector is among the top five globally, complemented by our status as the ‘Startup Nation.’ Most of our defense products are for export, and the current situation will require us to increase and diversify these exports. We need to develop systems that meet local needs while also creating versions suitable for export. This dual approach will ensure that the products developed by new start-ups can succeed both domestically and internationally."

To hear his full remarks, click on the video above.