Israel’s Per Capita Cost for Arms in 1969 Exceeds Outlay of Arab States

Israel spent $829 million on armaments in 1969–a per capita outlay of $224 which exceeded that of any of its Arab neighbors, the Institute of Strategic Studies reported here. Israel’s arms expenditures in the previous year totaled $628 million.

The survey placed the total armaments possessed by Israel and its foes on a fairly even basis but noted that in assessing relative strength the total technological capability of a country must be considered as well as the health level of its population, its morale and many other factors.

According to the survey, the per capita arms expenditure by Iraq this year was $30; Jordan, $39; Saudi Arabia $64; Syria $25 and Egypt $22.

The table of armaments gave Israel 1,020 tanks to Egypt’s 895 and 1,134 for Syria, Jordan and Iraq combined. Egypt had 400 combat aircraft to Israel’s 275 but the latter figure did not include 50 Mirage V jets purchased by Israel but withheld by French embargo and the 50 F-4 Phantom jets purchased from the United States. Syria, Jordan and Iraq have 369 combat aircraft between them but many are not operational for lack of spare parts and trained personnel.

Israel’s regular standing Army numbers only 22,500 men but it is backed up by 267,500 fully trained reservists. The Egyptian Army numbers 207,000 regulars and 100,000 reservists. No figures were given for the other Mideastern states.

But Egypt possesses a preponderance of naval power over Israel — 94 units against 36 for Israel. The Egyptian fleet includes 12 submarines, 12 missile patrol boats, eight Komar guided missile boats, 31 motor torpedo boats, six destroyers, two corvettes and 15 coastal and deep-sea escort craft. The Israeli Navy possesses only one destroyer, four submarines, one anti-aircraft frigate, five escorts, nine torpedo boats, four landing craft and 12 gunboats.