An Israeli newspaper Haaretz has publicized a British government report that makes a startling revelation: Israel exported military equipment over the past five years to Pakistan and four Arab countries, despite the non-existence of diplomatic relations with these countries.
In addition to Pakistan, Israel has exported arms and security equipment to Egypt, Algeria, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, the report says.
The report deals with British government permits for arms and security equipment exports and was released by Britain’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The department oversees security exports and publishes regular reports on permits granted or denied to purchase arms, military equipment or civilian items that are monitored.
Haaretz reported that from January 2008 to December 2012, British authorities processed hundreds of Israeli applications to purchase military items containing British components for use by the Israel Defence Forces, or to go into systems exported to third countries.
The UK government reports also list the countries to which Israel sought to export the items. Among Israel’s clients are countries with which it does not have diplomatic ties.
The report says that in 2011 Israel sought to purchase British components to export radar systems to Pakistan, as well as electronic warfare systems, Head-up Cockpit Displays (HUD), parts for fighter jets and aircraft engines, optic target acquisition systems, components of training aircraft, and military electronic systems.
Prior to that, in 2010, Israel applied for permits to export electronic warfare systems and HUDs with components from Britain to Pakistan. Also in 2010, Israel sought permits to supply Egypt and Morocco with Israeli electronic warfare systems and HUD systems that use British parts, the Haaretz said in its report.
In 2009, Israel requested permits from British authorities to process security equipment exports to Algeria, Morocco and the UAE. The exports processing south for Algeria and the UAE also including permits to supply components for drones.
According to the British reports, Israel’s other clients for military exports over the past five years include India, Singapore, Turkey, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Sweden, Portugal, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Colombia, Holland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Thailand, Macedonia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Switzerland, Ecuador, Mexico, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Equatorial Guyana, Poland and Argentina.