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The Drone Wars: Israel Strikes Back
posted Wednesday, 24 May 2006
Two of the world's more 'awkward' political relationship have one again been brought into the international spotlight this week, with the announcement that an Israeli defense contractor has been placed under investigation, on suspicion of conspiring to export advanced technologies to a strategic competitor of its primary international benefactor.
Though details remain sketchy, the Israeli Defense Ministry has announced that it has launched a full scale investigation of Emit (sometimes written Amit); an Israeli aviation technology company, after several of its executives were detained on suspicion of attempting to illegally export advanced pilotless aircraft, known as UAVs or drones, to China.
Emit has been under surveillance for some months, but arrests were not made until 22 May.
Photograph of the Emit UAV Factory, Israel
A spokesperson working for Emit denied all charges.
If proven to be true, this would be the fourth drone sales scandal to hit China, the third involving Israeli technology.
The Accusation
According to Israeli authorities, Emit stands accused of entering into a fake development deal, with an unnamed third party in South East Asia, with the express intent of using the deal as a front to sell military drones to China.
Emit is also accused of attempting to use the 2006 Asean Aerospace International Arms exhibition, held in Singapore in February, as a cover to transfer “Sparrow” drones and command and control equipment to Chinese clients.
On top of charges that they conspired to export military technology to China, executives at Emit have been accused of 'forging contracts and export permits' in an effort to cover their tracks and are being investigated for income tax violations.
Tip of the Iceberg?
Though current charges relate to the "Sparrow"; a reconnaissance UAV with an endurance of 5+ hours and a maximum speed in excess of 60 knots Emit is also known to produce the more "Blue Horizon 2" drone; an unmanned reconnaissance UAV capable of remaining aloft for over 10 hours, and using an advanced navigation system to flying at a service ceiling of 18,000+ feet without human intervention.
Photograph of an Emit Sparrow UAV
Both the “Sparrow and the “Blue Horizon 2” mount modern advanced optical packages, and can be retro- fitted with radar or laser targeting systems capable of directing guided munitions fire from a strike platform outside of the combat zone.
It is not known if Emit also intended to sell more advanced technology to China at a later date.
Attack of the Drones
Prior to the announcement of the China-Emit incident, Israel was found to have exported approximately 100 Harpy 'Hunter Killer' drones to China, in a deal worth an estimated $US50 million.
Like the Emit product drones, the Harpy is equipped with advanced optical systems, allowing it to be used for spotting and forward scouting missions. Similarly, it can also be fitted with radar/laser designation system to allow it to direct remote fire.
However, unlike Emit's range, the Harpy has a range of 500KM and a far more advanced on board guidance system which allows it to opperate far more effectively in the field. It can also be factory equipped with an internal sensor package capable of independently locking on to a ground target and launching a suicide attack against it using a 48 pound warhead. Allowing the Harpy to locate and destroy and opponent without human intervention, and to operate in an offensive role without the need for remote fire support.
In a related scandal, Israeli was later found to have entered into a drone maintenance contract with China, and to be actively participating in upgrading the exported Harpies to carry more advanced systems.
The discovery of these facts lead to the US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy demanding that Amos Yaron, the Director General of the Israeli Defense Ministry, step down, and to Washington temporarily suspending exports of sensitive technology to Israeli
In a separate incident, early in 2006, the Japanese manufacturing giant Yamaha was placed under investigation for breaching export laws, after a one of its consumer brand UAVs was seen on a Chinese website, painted in the colors of an civilian group that is a known front for the Chinese military.
It was later confirmed that Yamaha had sold 16 "RMAX L181" remote operated helicopters to China since 2001, and that it was planning to export further UAVs in the future.
Under Japanese law, UAVs that are capable of autonomous flight, and are able to carry more than 20 Litters of fluid, are considered to be 'duel use' technology – technology with the potential to be used for military or terrorist purposes – and require a permit to export. Yamaha had not applied for export permits for any of the helicopters, and it is unclear if a permit would have been granted had Yamaha applied.
Yamaha officials however denied that they had broken any laws, stating the opinion that the RMAX range fell outside of export restrictions because it required a human operator, and thus was unable to fly autonomously.
Despite this Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry officials contended that, because some RMAX models are capable of limited navigation, using a pre programed GPS system, they RMAX series has potential to be converted for autonomous flight. Bring it within export restricting.
Unlike the Israeli drones sold to China, the RMAX was purpose built for the civilian market. It has a maximum service ceiling of 10 meters and models are largely designed to be operated from the ground by a human controller who remains within line of site at all times.
The RMAX was originally developed to allow elderly or disable farmers, a symptom of Japan's aging population, to spray crops with insecticide.
The Sino-Israeli-American Factor
While the western powers tend to shy away from exporting military technology to China, Tel-Aviv has a long standing relationship with Beijing, and is China's second largest supplier of munition and military technology. A fact which has put considerable strain on the US-Israeli relationship for two key reasons.
Competition
Firstly, despite the strong economic relationship that exists between the two countries, China and the US remain strategic competitors. For this reason Washington is not enamored to any international moves which hold the potential to shift the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region. Particularly moves involving the sale of high technology weapons systems that could make any future conflict between China and the US far more costly for Washington, both in fiscal terms, and in loss of life.
In the past America has issued a number of threat against Israel if it continues to 'endanger US lives' by selling arms to China, including a 2000 threat to withhold $US2.8 billion in reparations payments if Israel went ahead with plans to sell a $US250 Million Phalcon airborne early warning system to Beijing.
Had it been installed, the system would have significantly enhanced Beijing's ability to repel US attacks against civilian population centers and strategic targets on the Mainland, and to better direct attacking forces of its own, in the event of a conflict breaking out over the disputed island of Chinese-Taiwan.
Israel eventually pulled out of the deal, and was forced to offer China 'significant compensation'
At the time, Israel denied that it had been bowed to US pressure, and called the eventual scrapping of the Sino-Israeli radar deal a 'Good will gesture' from Tel-Aviv to Israel.
Similarly, Congress threatened to cut the EU off from high military exports from American if France, Britain and Germany moved ot resume arms trading with China.
Observers and arms groups in China, Israel and EU have denounced pressure the the by Washington, and have accused it of 'interfering in the rights of other nations to conduct business as they see fit', and of harboring a 'Cold War mentality'.
Strong concerns have also been voiced as to whether Congress has itself been pressured into action by powerful US defense contractors and lobbyists, who have been using their influence in order for force the government to do all that it can to prevent foreign arms companies from trading in world markets that they cannot access.
Difficult Issues
Secondly, the sale of Israeli made weapons to China is a particularly problematic issue for Washington because of Israel's unusually high level of access to US defence technology.
As such, Israel has, on several occasions been accused of selling China 'cloned' American technology; Technology that Israel acquired by reverse engineering military hardware sold to Israel under the US-Israeli 'special relationship', or which Israel obtained directly from American defense establishments through espionage.
These accusations have lead to fears that, in the event of a Sino-US confrontation, China could end up 'killing US citizens with their own weapons'.
incidents that fall into tis catagory include technology from the Lavi (Lion); a jointly developed multi-role fighter program that was cancelled due to cost overruns, which later resurfaced in China as part of the Chengdu Jian-10 program, and its export variant, the F-10.
The J-10 is almost identical to the Lavi, in both configuration and capability and has similar, though inferior, handling to the F-16. It's cost is however much lower.
Temporary Concessions?
After the stalling of the Phalcon deal, and the unearthing of the Harpy scandal, Israel temporarily suspended the issuance of arms export licences to China, but resumed them again in March of this year when a 'special oversight committee' was set up to monitor arms sales.
Though Israel assured the US that it would be carefully watch exports to ensure that US or jointly developed technologies would not be transferred to Beijing, it also caused consternation by reserving the right to conduct arms exports 'with or without consultation with the United States' .
Up to 75 Percent of all munitions and military systems manufactured in Israel are made for export. They form a vital component of the Israeli economy.
Though details remain sketchy, the Israeli Defense Ministry has announced that it has launched a full scale investigation of Emit (sometimes written Amit); an Israeli aviation technology company, after several of its executives were detained on suspicion of attempting to illegally export advanced pilotless aircraft, known as UAVs or drones, to China.
Emit has been under surveillance for some months, but arrests were not made until 22 May.
Photograph of the Emit UAV Factory, Israel
A spokesperson working for Emit denied all charges.
| "[Emit's] CEO denies all of the incidents ascribed to him, and especially the way in which they were presented in the press." Devora Hen, Attorney and Legal Spokesperson, Emit |
If proven to be true, this would be the fourth drone sales scandal to hit China, the third involving Israeli technology.
The Accusation
According to Israeli authorities, Emit stands accused of entering into a fake development deal, with an unnamed third party in South East Asia, with the express intent of using the deal as a front to sell military drones to China.
Emit is also accused of attempting to use the 2006 Asean Aerospace International Arms exhibition, held in Singapore in February, as a cover to transfer “Sparrow” drones and command and control equipment to Chinese clients.
| “According to suspicions, in attempts to circumvent the [export restrictions], the managing director transferred to a Far Eastern nation Sparrow UAVs and their supporting equipment, claiming their capabilities would be demonstrated at an arms exhibition” Police Spokesperson, Israel |
On top of charges that they conspired to export military technology to China, executives at Emit have been accused of 'forging contracts and export permits' in an effort to cover their tracks and are being investigated for income tax violations.
Tip of the Iceberg?
Though current charges relate to the "Sparrow"; a reconnaissance UAV with an endurance of 5+ hours and a maximum speed in excess of 60 knots Emit is also known to produce the more "Blue Horizon 2" drone; an unmanned reconnaissance UAV capable of remaining aloft for over 10 hours, and using an advanced navigation system to flying at a service ceiling of 18,000+ feet without human intervention.
Photograph of an Emit Sparrow UAV
Both the “Sparrow and the “Blue Horizon 2” mount modern advanced optical packages, and can be retro- fitted with radar or laser targeting systems capable of directing guided munitions fire from a strike platform outside of the combat zone.
It is not known if Emit also intended to sell more advanced technology to China at a later date.
Attack of the Drones
Prior to the announcement of the China-Emit incident, Israel was found to have exported approximately 100 Harpy 'Hunter Killer' drones to China, in a deal worth an estimated $US50 million.
Like the Emit product drones, the Harpy is equipped with advanced optical systems, allowing it to be used for spotting and forward scouting missions. Similarly, it can also be fitted with radar/laser designation system to allow it to direct remote fire.
However, unlike Emit's range, the Harpy has a range of 500KM and a far more advanced on board guidance system which allows it to opperate far more effectively in the field. It can also be factory equipped with an internal sensor package capable of independently locking on to a ground target and launching a suicide attack against it using a 48 pound warhead. Allowing the Harpy to locate and destroy and opponent without human intervention, and to operate in an offensive role without the need for remote fire support.
In a related scandal, Israeli was later found to have entered into a drone maintenance contract with China, and to be actively participating in upgrading the exported Harpies to carry more advanced systems.
The discovery of these facts lead to the US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy demanding that Amos Yaron, the Director General of the Israeli Defense Ministry, step down, and to Washington temporarily suspending exports of sensitive technology to Israeli
In a separate incident, early in 2006, the Japanese manufacturing giant Yamaha was placed under investigation for breaching export laws, after a one of its consumer brand UAVs was seen on a Chinese website, painted in the colors of an civilian group that is a known front for the Chinese military.
It was later confirmed that Yamaha had sold 16 "RMAX L181" remote operated helicopters to China since 2001, and that it was planning to export further UAVs in the future.
Under Japanese law, UAVs that are capable of autonomous flight, and are able to carry more than 20 Litters of fluid, are considered to be 'duel use' technology – technology with the potential to be used for military or terrorist purposes – and require a permit to export. Yamaha had not applied for export permits for any of the helicopters, and it is unclear if a permit would have been granted had Yamaha applied.
Yamaha officials however denied that they had broken any laws, stating the opinion that the RMAX range fell outside of export restrictions because it required a human operator, and thus was unable to fly autonomously.
| "We have carried out the proper procedures for exports and have not violated the law" Spokesperson, Yamaha Motor Limited, Japan |
Despite this Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry officials contended that, because some RMAX models are capable of limited navigation, using a pre programed GPS system, they RMAX series has potential to be converted for autonomous flight. Bring it within export restricting.
Unlike the Israeli drones sold to China, the RMAX was purpose built for the civilian market. It has a maximum service ceiling of 10 meters and models are largely designed to be operated from the ground by a human controller who remains within line of site at all times.
The RMAX was originally developed to allow elderly or disable farmers, a symptom of Japan's aging population, to spray crops with insecticide.
The Sino-Israeli-American Factor
While the western powers tend to shy away from exporting military technology to China, Tel-Aviv has a long standing relationship with Beijing, and is China's second largest supplier of munition and military technology. A fact which has put considerable strain on the US-Israeli relationship for two key reasons.
Competition
Firstly, despite the strong economic relationship that exists between the two countries, China and the US remain strategic competitors. For this reason Washington is not enamored to any international moves which hold the potential to shift the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region. Particularly moves involving the sale of high technology weapons systems that could make any future conflict between China and the US far more costly for Washington, both in fiscal terms, and in loss of life.
In the past America has issued a number of threat against Israel if it continues to 'endanger US lives' by selling arms to China, including a 2000 threat to withhold $US2.8 billion in reparations payments if Israel went ahead with plans to sell a $US250 Million Phalcon airborne early warning system to Beijing.
Had it been installed, the system would have significantly enhanced Beijing's ability to repel US attacks against civilian population centers and strategic targets on the Mainland, and to better direct attacking forces of its own, in the event of a conflict breaking out over the disputed island of Chinese-Taiwan.
Israel eventually pulled out of the deal, and was forced to offer China 'significant compensation'
At the time, Israel denied that it had been bowed to US pressure, and called the eventual scrapping of the Sino-Israeli radar deal a 'Good will gesture' from Tel-Aviv to Israel.
| "Israel will not do anything to harm the United States" Gadi Baltiansky, Spokesperson, Israel |
Similarly, Congress threatened to cut the EU off from high military exports from American if France, Britain and Germany moved ot resume arms trading with China.
Observers and arms groups in China, Israel and EU have denounced pressure the the by Washington, and have accused it of 'interfering in the rights of other nations to conduct business as they see fit', and of harboring a 'Cold War mentality'.
Strong concerns have also been voiced as to whether Congress has itself been pressured into action by powerful US defense contractors and lobbyists, who have been using their influence in order for force the government to do all that it can to prevent foreign arms companies from trading in world markets that they cannot access.
Difficult Issues
Secondly, the sale of Israeli made weapons to China is a particularly problematic issue for Washington because of Israel's unusually high level of access to US defence technology.
As such, Israel has, on several occasions been accused of selling China 'cloned' American technology; Technology that Israel acquired by reverse engineering military hardware sold to Israel under the US-Israeli 'special relationship', or which Israel obtained directly from American defense establishments through espionage.
These accusations have lead to fears that, in the event of a Sino-US confrontation, China could end up 'killing US citizens with their own weapons'.
incidents that fall into tis catagory include technology from the Lavi (Lion); a jointly developed multi-role fighter program that was cancelled due to cost overruns, which later resurfaced in China as part of the Chengdu Jian-10 program, and its export variant, the F-10.
| "[China has acquired US military technology through] the re-export by Israel of advanced technology transferred to it by the United States, including avionics and missile guidance useful for the PLA's F-10 fighter. Congress and several Executive agencies have also investigated allegations that Israel has provided U.S.-origin cruise, air-to-air, and ground-to-air missile technology to the PRC" Select Committee on US National Security and Militery/Commercial Concerns with the PRC, US |
The J-10 is almost identical to the Lavi, in both configuration and capability and has similar, though inferior, handling to the F-16. It's cost is however much lower.
Temporary Concessions?
After the stalling of the Phalcon deal, and the unearthing of the Harpy scandal, Israel temporarily suspended the issuance of arms export licences to China, but resumed them again in March of this year when a 'special oversight committee' was set up to monitor arms sales.
Though Israel assured the US that it would be carefully watch exports to ensure that US or jointly developed technologies would not be transferred to Beijing, it also caused consternation by reserving the right to conduct arms exports 'with or without consultation with the United States' .
| "[Israel and America] are two independent countries which respect their relative interests" Yaakov Toren, Director, Defense Ministry, Israel |
Up to 75 Percent of all munitions and military systems manufactured in Israel are made for export. They form a vital component of the Israeli economy.
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