A report published today (Wednesday) in the British newspaper The Guardian reveals that British companies have exported thousands of military equipment items to Israel, even though the UK suspended key arms export licenses in September as part of an embargo imposed following the war in Gaza.
According to the report, the items exported include ammunition and other military-related materials. Some of these are classified as dual-use, intended for both civilian and defensive applications, and not necessarily for combat use.
Exporting F-35 Aircraft Components to Israel
The report raises doubts over whether the suspension included a halt in the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel. It suggests that some of these parts may have been transferred via American manufacturers, in order to maintain the continuity of the global F-35 supply chain—considered essential to national security and to NATO’s strategic capabilities.
According to a trade data analysis conducted in cooperation with several progressive organizations, British companies exported 8,630 items to Israel under the category of “bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles, and similar munitions.” In addition, four separate shipments of 146 items categorized as tanks and armored combat vehicles were carried out after the license suspension.
The UK Government Clarifies
The British government clarified that the suspended licenses apply only to items that may be used for offensive operations. Licenses still in effect cover defensive equipment, such as helmets and protective goggles. The only explicit exception allowed is for the F-35 program, due to its strategic significance. A spokesperson for the British Foreign Office stated there is no intention to provide weapons that could be used for offensive operations in Gaza.
In Israel, the continued British support for maintaining technological and defense cooperation is viewed positively. The ongoing transfer of F-35 components underscores the strategic commitment to defense partnership within the NATO framework, while helping preserve the regional security balance in the Middle East.
