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Australian weapon trialled by Israel's military ahead of potential sale

www.abc.net.au

Australian weapon trialled by Israel's military ahead of potential sale

In short:

An Australian-designed weapon system has been trialled by Israel’s defence force after federal government insists no defence exports there since the Gaza War began.

Canberra-based defence company EOS is declining to comment on the demonstration earlier this year citing commercial sensitivities but insists it complies with regulations.

What's next?

Defence says it is only approving new export permits to Israel on items for Australian defence and law enforcement that will return to this country.

2 评论

  • [...]
    On EOS’s website the R400 is described as “Lightweight 30mm lethality with precise mobile engagements up to 2 km” and “a high-precision weapon platform with the firepower of a 30 mm cannon”.

    “The R400 also supports other weapons, such as machine guns, automatic grenade launchers, and anti-tank guided missiles. It is compatible with other EOS weapon systems through ‘plug-and-play’ functionality.”
    [...]
    An accompanying photograph shows Israeli Defence Ministry officials and industry representative standing behind an R400 system, which is the same image included in the EOS “Market Development Update” provided to the Australian Stock Exchange. An image of the cream and black weapon, set against a white background

    The R400, manufactured by Electro Optic Systems (Supplied by the company, EOS)

    In response to questions on whether EOS sought approval to demonstrate its R400, a Defence Department spokesperson insisted Australia had “not supplied weapons or ammunition to Israel since the conflict began, and for at least the past five years.

    “As the circumstances of the conflict have evolved, the Government has calibrated its approach and has only approved new export permits to Israel for items for Australian defence and law enforcement that will return to Australia,” the spokesperson said.

    “Defence has also been undertaking a process to scrutinise the pre-existing export permits to Israel. These pre-existing permits were all approved before the conflict began and none of the permits relate to weapons or ammunition.”

    Asked whether it had sought permission to export the lethal technology, and whether the product had first gone to the United States, an EOS spokesperson told the ABC that that the company “complies with all relevant regulations at all times”.

    “EOS operates under the trade control regulations of the countries it is based in, due to the nature of its products and technologies,” the spokesperson added.

    “That includes detailed regulations in Australia and other host countries where EOS manufactures products, like the United States.”

    Greens Senator David Shoebridge says the involvement of EOS exposes the Albanese government’s “lies” that Australia has not supported Israel’s military campaign against Gaza, a position reinforced this week by the Prime Minister during a leaders’ debate.

    "What we can see clearly here is an Australian made weapon in the hands of the Israeli military in Israel in January this year and I think that really puts the lie to these denials we've had from the Albanese government since this appalling conflict started," Senator Shoebridge told the ABC.

    https://archive.md/KFP1e