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Israel blocked a German deal to sell Spike anti-tank missiles to Ukraine. Photo/Illustration
To note, the Spike anti-tank missiles are manufactured in Germany under Israeli license, and Tel Aviv must approve their exports. The Pentagon had sought the approval of a top Israeli Defense Ministry official during his visit to Washington earlier this month, but was refused.
“Israel is concerned that the army Russia can be killed by Israeli-made weapons, which would then put Moscow at the expense of Tel Aviv’s security interests in Syria,” an unnamed senior Israeli official told Axios. Russia TodayThursday (26/5/2022).
The issue came up two weeks ago when the director general of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Amir Eshel, visited the US. At that time, according to officials who spoke with Axios, the Pentagon’s Undersecretary of Policy, Colin Kahl, had asked Germany for permission to export Spikes to Ukraine. Eshel said no and told Kahl that Israel would only supply non-lethal military equipment to Kiev.
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When Israeli Defense Secretary Benny Gantz visited Washington last Wednesday, questions about missiles reportedly did not arise in his meetings with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. On the day of his visit, Israel announced it would send 2,000 helmets and 500 protective vests to Ukraine.
The Pentagon did not officially comment on the report.
Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel, the Spike first entered the military in the 1980s. The missiles can be armed with anti-tank or high-explosive warheads, and guided by the operator or fired within sight. The US and some of its NATO allies have installed them on helicopter gunships.
The US and its allies have delivered thousands of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, as well as artillery, armored vehicles, tanks and attack helicopters in recent weeks. Russia claims much of that arsenal was eventually destroyed by cruise missile strikes.
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