Israel's arms suppliers

Israel Aerospace Industries displays their Barak-8 Missile at Farnborough International

Aside from Israel's own arms industry, the USA is by far the biggest supplier of arms to Israel. However, numerous other countries are also major suppliers, especially Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), between 2009 and 2018, the US supplied 64% of all international transfers of major conventional weapons to Israel. They were followed by Germany with 28%, Italy with 7.3%, and Canada with 0.5%. Israel was the 21st largest importer of major conventional weapons worldwide during this period.

Exporters of major conventional weapons to Israel 2009-2018 Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database

For some exporters, financial data on deliveries and/or licenses is also available, which also covers components, small arms and light weapons, and other equipment not covered by SIPRI. From 2013-2017, the US delivered $4.9 billion (£3.3 b.) worth of arms to Israel. During this time, those EU members that report figures for arms deliveries supplied €777 million (£613 m.) worth of arms to Israel, led by Italy, with €476 million (£367 m.). Germany and the UK do not provide delivery data, but Germany issued licenses for arms sales to Israel worth €1.6 billion (£1.3 b.) between 2013 and 2017, while the UK issued individual licenses worth £336 million. (See CAAT's EU arms sales browser for more information).

Value of arms deliveries/licenses to Israel 2013-2017 by US, EU Source: Security Assistance Monitor, CAAT EU arms browser

Companies supplying arms to Israel

Some of the most important companies supplying arms to Israel are listed below. While many are US or German companies, many have a significant presence in the UK as well.

Other companies with UK connections

Below is a list of some of the other UK companies and international companies with UK locations that are known to have supplied arms and security equipment to Israel. For more information, including sources and company descriptions, please click on the company names which you can find on our company map.

Components for F-16 fighter aircraft:

GE Aviation (US headquartered, with locations in the UK):

Produced engines for selected F-16s

Produced engines for selected F-16s MPE (UK headquartered):

Electromagnetic filters manufactured by MPE were used in bomb racks put on F-16s

Components for Merkava tanks:

Ametek (US headquartered, with locations in the UK):

Cooling systems produced by Ametek Airtechnology Group Limited have been used to equip Merkava tanks

Cooling systems produced by Ametek Airtechnology Group Limited have been used to equip Merkava tanks Renk AG (German headquartered, with a location in the UK):

Transmission systems manufactured by Renk equip the Merkava 4 tank

Components for Apache attack helicopters:

AgustaWestland (Subsidiary of Italy-headquartered Finmeccanica, with substantial locations in the UK):

Manufactures a range of components for the Apaches

Manufactures a range of components for the Apaches Meggitt (UK headquartered):

Its air data system found in Apache gunships

Its air data system found in Apache gunships Penny + Giles Controls (UK headquartered):

Its rotary variable transformers have been identified on Apache gunships in Israel

Its rotary variable transformers have been identified on Apache gunships in Israel Redmayne Engineering (UK headquartered):

Its Jesus nut is used to hold the main rotor head of the Apache

Its Jesus nut is used to hold the main rotor head of the Apache Senior plc (UK headquartered)

Air ducting systems produced by Senior Aerospace BWT have been identified in Israeli Apache gunships

Air ducting systems produced by Senior Aerospace BWT have been identified in Israeli Apache gunships SPS Aerostructures (UK headquartered):

Engine air intakes produced by SPS Aerostructures were found on Apache gunships

Engine air intakes produced by SPS Aerostructures were found on Apache gunships UTC Aerospace (US headquartered, with locations in the UK):

Page Aerospace (UK) has produced light dimming systems used in Israeli Apache gunships

Missiles:

Raytheon (US headquartered, with locations in the UK):

Joint producer of the Stunner missile with Rafael.

Vehicles:

Land Rover (UK headquartered):

The Defender model forms the basis of the David Light Armoured Vehicle

Drones:

Elbit Systems (Israel headquartered, with two UK subsidiaries – UAV Tactical Systems Limited and UAV Engines Limited):

Produces electronic military communication systems and unmanned aircraft systems, including the Hermes drone

Security:

G4S (UK headquartered):

Its security systems are used in Israeli prisons

From Freedom of Information (FoI) requests, we also know of a large number of arms companies that have applied to export arms from the UK to Israel for 2010-2015. Over 40 of these companies are listed on our company map, and more detailed information about export applications is also available on our website. Information for 2016 and beyond is not currently available.

More information on the situation in Israel and Occupied Palestine, and the two-way UK-Israel arms-trade.