UAV’s – also known as Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPVs) -- are used primarily for reconnaissance missions. However, they are capable of being used as assault vehicles as well. Investigators are looking at a possible transfer of a UAV to a weapons trade show in East Asia without a Defense Ministry permit. The company is suspected of intending to eventually send it, together with other sensitive vehicles, to China. In addition, the execs are suspected of leaking security information and forging authorizations for the export of the UAVs as well as other equipment.
Security-based sales from Israeli companies to China have been under a magnifying glass in the past few years. The U.S. nixed a deal to upgrade a Harpy drone ten years after its sale to China in 1994.
The 2004 transaction was cancelled and the drone, designed to destroy anti-missile batteries and radar systems, was returned to Beijing without the upgrade. The U.S. asked Israel to confiscate it, which the government refused to do.
A special branch in the Defense Ministry was established to deal with defense-related exports in the wake of the diplomatic crisis.
The company, Amit, is based in Kadima, a town located in the Sharon region in central Israel and specializes in import and export. Its cadre of 60 workers was pared down to 20 after the investigation was initiated and sales and export permits for defense-related items were revoked.
Security-based sales from Israeli companies to China have been under a magnifying glass in the past few years. The U.S. nixed a deal to upgrade a Harpy drone ten years after its sale to China in 1994.
The 2004 transaction was cancelled and the drone, designed to destroy anti-missile batteries and radar systems, was returned to Beijing without the upgrade. The U.S. asked Israel to confiscate it, which the government refused to do.
A special branch in the Defense Ministry was established to deal with defense-related exports in the wake of the diplomatic crisis.
The company, Amit, is based in Kadima, a town located in the Sharon region in central Israel and specializes in import and export. Its cadre of 60 workers was pared down to 20 after the investigation was initiated and sales and export permits for defense-related items were revoked.