To ask Her Majesty's Government what categories of arms were sold to Israel in the last two years for which data are available; and whether they included sniper rifles or the component parts of sniper rifles.
Answered on
5 June 2018
Sales data by region for military exports are published annually on GOV.UK. at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-defence-and-security-export-figures-2016/uk-defence-and-security-export-statistics-for-2016.
The Government also publishes Official Statistics about export licences issued and refused (on a quarterly and annual basis) of licences granted and refused for military exports on GOV.UK. These reports contain detailed information on export licences issued, refused or revoked, by destination, including the overall value, type (e.g. Military, Other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. These can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data.
The data, which includes export values for some licence types, currently provides details of licences up to 31 December 2017. Information about the period 1 January to 31 March 2018 will be published on 17 July 2018.
The Official Statistics show that over the last two years one licence was issued for four “sniper rifles” and “components for sniper rifles” for an Israeli defence manufacturer to test ammunition.
All export licences are issued in strict accordance with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria.