British arms exports to Israel

Recent UK exports to Israel for use against Palestinians.

see also Does the UK sell arms to Israel? | Oxfam GB

Government figures for arms exports to Israel and all countries (are released six months or so behind)

As of November 2024, arms sales figures are very late and so these are still the latest figures:

Oct-Dec 2023  £376,000 of UK arms sales were to Israel: components for military scenario simulation equipment, components for military training equipment, equipment for the use of military scenario simulation equipment, military scenario simulation equipment, military software, military training equipment, software enabling equipment to function as military scenario simulation equipment, software for equipment for the use of military scenario simulation equipment, technology for military scenario simulation equipment, technology for military training equipment, technology for production installations for military scenario simulation equipment  and £483,000 more sold to them for re-export

July- Sept 2023 – £375,000 of UK arms sales were to Israel and £883,000 more sold to them for re-export,

Apr-June 2023 £4.85 million of UK arms sales were to Israel and £10.2 million more sold to them for re-export:

Components for: combat aircraft, military aero-engines, military electronic equipment, military guidance/navigation equipment, military support aircraft, military training aircraft and naval engines.

Equipment for the use of: combat aircraft, general military, aircraft components, military aero-engines, military aircraft ground equipment, military aircrew life support equipment, military electronic equipment, military guidance/navigation equipment, military support aircraft, military training aircraft, naval engines, general military aircraft components, military aircraft ground equipment, military aircrew life support, military electronic equipment and military guidance/navigation

Technology for:

combat aircraft, general military aircraft components, military aero-engines, military aircraft ground equipment, military aircrew life support equipment, military electronic equipment, military guidance/navigation equipment, military support aircraft, military training aircraft, naval engines, production installations for combat aircraft, production installations for general military aircraft components, production installations for military aero-engines, production installations for military aircraft ground equipment, production installations for military aircrew life support equipment, production installations for military electronic equipment, production installations for military guidance/navigation equipment, production installations for military support aircraft, production installations for military training aircraft, production installations for naval engines.

Jan-March 2023 £3.1milion of UK arms sales were to Israel and £390,000 more sold to them for re-export

components for electronic warfare equipment
components for military aircraft head-up/down displays
general military aircraft components
imaging cameras
components for aircraft military communications equipment
components for combat aircraft
components for machine guns
components for military aircraft head-up/down displays
components for submarines
general military aircraft components
general military vehicle components
machine guns
military guidance/navigation equipment
signature suppression fittings/coatings/treatments for military use

In 2022  Britain exported £34 million of arms sales to Israel and £7.5 million more for re-export

components for electronic warfare equipment
components for military aircraft head-up/down displays
components for military combat vehicles
components for military communications equipment
components for military electronic equipment
components for military radars
components for submarines
components for targeting equipment
components for unmanned air vehicles
equipment for the use of military communications equipment
equipment for the use of military electronic equipment
general military vehicle components
military communications equipment
military training equipment
technology for military communications equipment

In 2021 Britain exported £23.3 million of arms sales to Israel and £1.2 million more for re-export

aircraft military communications equipment
components for air-to-surface missiles
components for combat aircraft
components for combat helicopters
components for electronic warfare equipment
components for military aircraft head-up/down displays
components for military combat vehicles
components for military communications equipment
components for military guidance/navigation equipment
components for military patrol/assault craft
components for military radars
components for submarines
components for targeting equipment
components for unmanned air vehicles
equipment for the use of military guidance/navigation equipment
grenade launchers
military aero-engines
military communications equipment
production facilities for small arms ammunition
technology for military communications equipment

In 2020 Britain exported £28.7 million of arms sales to Israel and £3.1 million more for re-export

October-December 2020 Britain exported £3,562,765 direct arms sales to Israel and £342,539  for re-export

July-September 2020  Britain exported £9,798,264 direct arms sales to Israel and £353,887 for re-export

Apr-June 2020 Britain exported £5,623,205 direct arms sales to Israel and £495,188  for re-export

Jan-Mar 2020 Britain exported £8,795,749 direct arms sales to Israel and £1,959,211 for re-export

Oct-Dec 2019 Britain exported £6,124,918 direct arms sales to Israel and £235,520 for re-export

July – September 2019 Britain exported £9,665,133 direct arms sales to Israel and £615,878 for re-export

April – June 2019  Britain exported £1,237,177 direct arms sales to Israel and £1,170,136 for re-export

Jan – March 2019  Britain exported £6,567,884 direct arms sales to Israel and £1,060,028 for re-export

– Israel’s defence export contracts were worth $7.2B in 2019 https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/06/22/israels-defense-export-contracts-were-worth-72-billion-in-2019/

October – December 2018  Britain exported £2,727,692 direct arms sales to Israel and £152,807 for re-export

July – September 2018 Britain exported £7,325,320 direct arms sales to Israel and £363,391 for re-export

April – June 2018  Britain exported £2,466,389 direct arms sales to Israel and £205,917 for re-export

Jan – March 2018  Britain exported £9,974,198 direct arms sales to Israel and £167,121 for re-export

– deaths of Palestinians increase as Record Arms sales to Israel in 2017 by Britain:

aircraft military communications equipment, assault rifles, ballistic test equipment, body armour, small arms ammunition, sniper rifles, weapon sights, components for: aircraft military communications equipment, combat aircraft, combat helicopters, combat naval vessels, decoying/countermeasure equipment, decoying/countermeasure equipment, ground vehicle military communications equipment, launching/handling/control equipment for missiles, launching/handling/control equipment for munitions, military aircraft head-up/down displays, military communications equipment, military diving apparatus, military guidance/navigation equipment, military guidance/navigation equipment, military improvised explosive device decoying/detection/disposal/jamming equipment, military infrared/thermal imaging equipment, military radars, military support aircraft, military support vehicles, military training aircraft, naval electrical/electronic equipment, NBC protective/defensive equipment, pistols, sniper rifles, submarines, surface-to-air missiles, tanks, targeting equipment, weapon control equipment.

Also decoying/countermeasure equipment and energetic materials additives plus equipment for the development of multi-role missiles and the production of military support aircraft, attack alerting/warning equipment, military electronic equipment, military radars, targeting equipment, Plus general military vehicle components, general naval vessel components, high power RF weapon systems, launching/handling/control equipment for munitions

military aircraft ground equipment, military aircraft head-up/down displays, military communications equipment, military equipment for initiating explosives, military guidance/navigation equipment, military helmets, naval electrical/electronic equipment, rangefinding and targeting equipment.

Oct-Dec 2017   Britain exported its highest ever quarterly figure of £185,330,698 of direct arms sales to Israel and £409,880 for re-export

July – Sept 2017   Britain exported  £1,037,059 of direct arms to Israel including equipment for the use of targeting equipment, weapon sights, military aircraft parts, military equipment for initiating explosives and technology for multi-role missiles.  £93,356 of arms exports was also sold to Israel for them to re-export to Rwanda and other countries.

April – June  2017  Britain exported £4,369,688 of direct arms to Israel and £1,074,052 for re-export

Jan – March 2017 Britain exported second highest quarterley figure of £24,848,053 of direct arms to Israel and £2,452,215 for re-export

[Saturday 17 March 2018 PSC supporters protested outside HSBC, Queens Sq Wolverhampton]

October-December 2016 Britain exported £3,457,067 of direct arms to Israel and £227,662 for re-export

July -September 2016  Britain exported  £12,899,209 of direct arms to Israel including: accessories for military scenario simulation equipment; aerial target equipment; components for aerial target equipment, ballistic test equipment, combat helicopters, military aircraft , military communications equipment, surface-to-air missiles and drones; technology for equipment for the use of electronic warfare equipment.

Plus £295,891 of arms sales for Israel to re-export to Columbia, South Korea, USA, Singapore,India & Japan including components for air-to-air missiles and for electronic warfare equipment

April – June 2016 Britain exported a record £64,855,184 of direct arms to Israel  and £668,892 of arms sales for Israel to re-export

Jan – March 2016 Britain exported £3,192,168 of direct arms to Israel and £627,156 of arms sales for Israel to re-export

Oct- Dec 2015  Britain exported £3,692,353 of direct arms to Israel and £1,140,125 of arms sales for Israel to re-export to Colombia, Turkey and other countries.

July-Sept 2015 Britain exported £1,907,931 of direct arms to Israel including sniper rifles and electronic warfare equipment and £217,170 of arms sales for Israel to re-export

April – June 2015 Britain exported £9,407,047 of direct arms to Israel including assault rifles and £1,536,179 of arms sales for Israel to re-export

Jan-March 2015 Britain exported £1,352,343 of direct arms to Israel and £539,211 of arms sales for Israel to re-export

Oct-Dec 2014 Britain exported £2,477,592 of direct arms to Israel including aerial target equipment and drone equipment as well as £847,678 of arms sales for Israel to re-export

July-Sept 2014 Britain exported £230,553 of direct arms to Israel and £1,091,152 of arms sales for Israel to re-export

April-June 2014 Britain exported £1,013,800 of direct arms to Israel and £870,286 of arms sales for Israel to re-export

Jan-March 2014 Britain exported £1,628,336 of arms to Israel including ammunition, water cannons, parts for drones, combat helicopters, sniper rifles, targeting equipment and more.  In this period, a further £1,965,072 of arms sales for Israel to re-export to countries which included Columbia.

Campaign Against Arms Trade – UK approved £7m Israeli arms related sales in six months before Gaza conflict  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/exclusive-uk-approved-7m-israeli-arms-sales-in-six-months-before-gaza-conflict-9878280.html

 also see https://www.stoparmingisrael.org

2013

Oct – Dec 2013 Britain exported £2,400,248 of direct arms to Israel and £2,195,014 of arms sales for Israel to re-export
July – Sept 2013 Britain exported £1,185,593 of direct arms to Israel and £702,225 of arms sales for Israel to re-export
April – June 2013 Britain exported £2,176,523 of direct arms to Israel and £189,081 of arms sales for Israel to re-export
Jan – March 2013 Britain exported £512,288 of direct arms to Israel and £650,197 of arms sales for Israel to re-exportdirect arms sales to Israel were for:

all-wheel drive vehicles with ballistic protection
anti-riot/ballistic shields
armoured plate
ballistic equipment
bomb suits
military aero-engines
military communications equipment
military electronic equipment
military equipment for initiating explosives
military guidance/navigation equipment
military improvised explosive device decoying/detection/disposal/jamming equipment
military parametric technical databases
military support vehicles
munitions/ordnance detection/disposal equipment
small arms ammunition
targeting equipment
training small arms ammunition
unfinished products for military support aircraft
weapon night-sights
weapon sights

components for:

air-to-surface missiles
aircraft missile protection systems
all-wheel drive vehicles with ballistic protection
assault rifles
ballistic test equipment
body armour
combat aircraft
combat naval vessels
decoying/countermeasure equipment
electronic warfare equipment
military vehicle
naval vessel
military aero-engines
military airborne equipment
military combat vehicles
military communications equipment
military electronic equipment
military equipment for initiating explosives
military guidance/navigation equipment
military helicopters
military improvised explosive device decoying/detection/disposal/jamming equipment
military radars
military support aircraft
military support vehicles
military training aircraft
military aero-engines
military communications equipment
military electronic equipment
military equipment for initiating explosives
military guidance/navigation equipment
military improvised explosive device decoying/detection/disposal/jamming equipment
military parametric technical databases
military support vehicles
munitions/ordnance detection/disposal equipment
small arms ammunition submarines
surface-to-air missiles
targeting equipment
unmanned air vehicles

equipment for the use of:

decoying/countermeasure equipment
military aero-engines
military electronic equipment
military equipment for initiating explosives
military guidance/navigation equipment
weapon sights

software for:

attack alerting/warning equipment, for military aero-engines and for the use of military aero-engines

technology for:

air-to-surface missiles, military communications equipment, surface launched rockets, unmanned air vehicles, air-to-surface missiles and surface launched rockets

In 2012 Britain exported £4,119,718 of direct arms exports plus £13,747,760 of sales for Israel to re-export.

2012 direct arms sales to Israel were for:

aircraft military communications equipment
armoured plate
ballistic test equipment
body armour
combat naval vessels
components for aircraft missile protection systems
components for all-wheel drive vehicles with ballistic protection
components for assault rifles
components for attack alerting/warning equipment
components for body armour
components for combat naval vessels
components for decoying/countermeasure equipment
components for electronic countermeasure equipment
components for electronic warfare equipment
components for military aero-engines
components for military aircraft head-up/down displays
components for military communications equipment
components for military guidance/navigation equipment
components for military helicopters
components for military radars
components for munitions/ordnance detection/disposal equipment
components for naval communications equipment
components for NBC detection equipment
components for pistols
components for submarines
components for surface-to-air missiles
components for targeting equipment
decoying/countermeasure equipment
equipment for the production of military aero-engines
equipment for the use of military electronic equipment
equipment for the use of NBC detection equipment
general military vehicle components
general military vehicle components
general naval vessel components
military aero-engines
military cameras/photographic equipment
military communications equipment
military electronic equipment
military helmets
military radars
military support vehicles
military training equipment
NBC detection equipment
range finding equipment
small arms ammunition
software for ballistic test equipment
software for NBC detection equipment
software for the use of military aero-engines
technology for ballistic test equipment
technology for decoying/countermeasure equipment
technology for military electronic equipment
technology for military guidance/navigation equipment
technology for NBC detection equipment
weapon night sights
weapon sight mounts
weapon sights

October-December 2012  £1.04 million of direct arms exports plus £11.25 million of sales for Israel to re-export.

July-Sept 2012 £341,805 of direct arms exports plus £440,197 of sales for Israel to re-export.

April – June 2012 £2.47 million of direct arms exports plus £1.1 million of sales for Israel to re-export

Jan-Mar 2012 £271,000 of direct arms exports plus almost £1 million of sales for Israel to re-export

For 2011 £2,634,203 direct arms sales of:

armoured plate
blank/inert ammunition
components for aircraft missile protection systems
components for combat naval vessels
components for electronic warfare equipment
components for military aero-engines
components for military aircraft head-up/down displays
components for military communications equipment
components for military guidance/navigation equipment
components for military radars
components for military support aircraft
components for military training aircraft
components for military training equipment
components for pistols
components for pyrotechnic signalling devices
components for submarines
components for surface-to-air missiles
components for surface-to-surface missiles
components for targeting equipment
components for unmanned air vehicles
components for weapon control equipment
components for weapon sights
decoying/countermeasure equipment
energetic materials additives
equipment for the development of military aero-engines
equipment for the production of military aero-engines
equipment for the production of military support aircraft
equipment for the use of military aero-engines
equipment for the use of military equipment for initiating explosives
equipment for the use of NBC detection equipment
general military vehicle components
general naval vessel components
goods treated for signature suppression for military use
launching/handling/control/support equipment for unmanned air vehicles
military aero-engines
military communications equipment
military equipment for initiating explosives
military improvised explosive device decoying/detection/disposal/jamming equipment
military infrared/thermal imaging equipment
military radars
military support vehicles
munitions/ordnance detection/disposal equipment
NBC detection equipment
recognition/identification equipment
small arms ammunition
technology for unmanned air vehicles
weapon sights

Oct-Dec 2011 £470,000 of direct arms exports plus £453,000 of sales for Israel to re-export

July-September 2011 show £594,000 of direct arms exports plus £605,000of sales for Israel to re-export; to Pakistan amongst others. 

April-June 2011 reveal £1million of direct arms exports plus £4.5million of sales for Israel to re-export.

January-March 2011 reveal £570,000 of direct arms exports plus £3.3million of sales for Israel to re-export.

last quarter of 2010 £361,000 include ammunition and equipment for using drones. We also exported nuclear grade graphite. High-purity graphite is used in the military project nuclear industry. A further £80,000 was sold for re-export to countries such as Colombia.

Israel remains one of the largest recipients of Britain’s arms sales in the world.

July-September 2010 show arms sales to the apartheid state, of over £800,000 of direct arms sales with £450,000 of further sales which Israel re-exported to  Egypt, South Korea, Pakistan, Turkey, United States and other countries.  Our country also sold arms components to Germany and USA for re-export onto Israel.

Figures from April-June 2010  show a large increase in arms sales to the apartheid state, to over £2 million of direct arms sales with £770,000 of further sales which Israel re-exported to Colombia, the US and other countries.

In January-March 2010   £400,000 direct arms sales and £1.7million further arms sales were made for Israel to ‘re-export’.

In government figures for 2009, arms sales to Israel from Britain were £5.75million.

In 2008 over £26million of British arms exports went to Israel.

In 2007 our government granted export licences for £10.5million of British arms exports to Israel.

The export of arms to Israel continues to be criticised, with allegations that such equipment is used for internal repression and risks undermining regional stability.  This report examines the UK’s arms export policy with respect to Israel, the value of the military goods that the UK has exported over the last ten years and provides a comparison to the United States, which accounts for 94% of all arms exports to Israel, and the other EU Member States.

Latest reports covering export licensing decisions made by Her Majesty’s Government :

BERR – some Quarterly figures Strategic Arms Exports can no longer be directly linked – you will need to access via the Strategic Arms exports website  and click on “published reports” to gain access, no need to login.

BERR – Strategic Export Controls Quarterly report July – September 2008  Israel -Items on the Military List £1,000,348 plus £366,971 worth of exports for Israel to use as components for their exports

BERR: quarterly report covers export licensing decisions made by Her Majesty’s Government  April – June 2008: Israel – Items on the Military List £1,249,278 plus £755,924 worth of exports for Israel to use as components for their exports

BERR– Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform STRATEGIC EXPORT CONTROLS Quarterly Report January – March 2008 Israel – Items on the Military List £18,847,795 plus £455,371 worth of exports for Israel to use as components for their exports

 PREVIOUS YEARS’ BRITISH ARMS EXPORTS TO ISRAEL:

2009 £5.75M of which £3.5M “incorporation”

2008 £26.7M of which £4.4M “incorporation”

2007 £10.5 million of which £3M “incorporation”
2006 £16.5 million
2005 £23.5 million
2004 £12 million of which £1.5M “incorporation”
2003 £11.5 million
2002 £10 million
2001 £22.5 million
2000 £12.5 million
1999 £11.5 million
1998 Not provided

21 April 2009 then Foreign Secretary David Miliband commented on reports that UK supplied equipment may have been used by the Israeli Defence Forces during the Gaza conflict in a written ministerial statement to Parliament on  READ THE STATEMENT

13 January 2009 – International Affairs and Defence Section – Arms Exports to Israel Report.  The UK has no arms embargo on Israel and as such licences for the export of military goods are granted in accordance with the criteria set down in the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria.

38,390 signed the petition: “We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to do everything in his power to impose an arms embargo on Israel in light of the recent Israeli offensive in the Gaza strip and to apply pressure on countries supplying Israel with arms that breach international agreements with the intention of restoring lasting peace to the region.”

copy of letter sent from Wolverhampton TUC to Pat McFadden, Wolverhampton SE MP, then Minister for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs, BERR, House of Commons

re: arms exports to Israel & military attack on Gaza

Dear Pat,
Using the latest Strategic Export Controls Quarterly Reports from the Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, it appears your Department granted licences for £7.5million arms exports to Israel In 2007. This has escalated to over £20million of arms exports to Israel in the first half of 2008.

Standard Individual Export Licences to Israel in 2008 include:
air guns
armoured plate
components for airborne electronic warfare equipment
components for aircraft military communications equipment
components for military infrared/thermal imaging equipment
components for air defence systems
components for combat aircraft
components for electronic warfare equipment
components for military aircraft head-up displays
components for helmet mounted display equipment
components for military communications equipment
components for military electronic equipment
components for NBC clothing
devices containing helium
image intensifier tubes
military aero-engines
nickel powders
nuclear grade graphite to name but a few

letter sent;

The military bombardment by the Israeli military of the population of Gaza led to over 1100 deaths, mainly civilian and including hundreds of children.

Wolverhampton, Bilston & District TUC urges you to:
• Press the government to end Israel’s violations of international law and for them to lift the blockade and the open all Gaza’s borders.
• Put whatever influence you can within your department and within the government to immediately end the granting of all licences for British military exports to Israel

Yours sincerely,

Nick Kelleher, Secretary.