ARIE EGOZI / TEL AVIV
Israel's air force has started to ground its McDonnell Douglas F-4-2000 Phantom fighters because the UK is refusing export licences for the pyrotechnic cartridges in the Martin Baker-built ejection seats.
Unmanned air vehicles (UAV) manufacturers are also seeking other engine sources. Elbit Systems company Silver Arrow and Israel Aircraft Industries Malat division build UAVs with powerplants supplied by the UK's UAV Engines (UEL).
Israeli defence ministry sources say export of the cartridge has been banned under the UK's unofficial embargo of sales to TelAviv due to London's policy towards Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
The sources say the UK's sanctions cover 140 UK-manufactured items. The defence ministry says: "We want to minimise the effect of the embargo, and hope that common sense will prevail, as most of the items included in it cannot be defined as part of a weapon system that can be used for attack."
UK sources say that rather than an official ban, the Department of Trade and Industry has been delaying approvals although some applications for export licences have been turned down under the European Union's regulations banning the sale of equipment that can be used to suppress minorities.
The UK Foreign Office says there is no arms embargo against Israel and all applications for arms export licences are judged case-by-case.
Meanwhile, the Israeli defence ministry has agreed to a US demand and has halted all negotiations with China on future sales of Israeli-built weapon systems.
Israeli government sources say the US demand was a surprise as there had been no indication that the USA was likely to take action - China has protested about US intervention. In February 2002, however, Israel paid China $350 million compensation after the USA forced TelAviv to scrap a sale of IAI Phalcon airborne early warning platforms.
Source: Flight International
