Special to WorldTribune.com

LONDON — Britain has blocked dozens of arms exports to Egypt.

The British government suspended 49 licenses for the export of military
and security equipment to Egypt. The Business, Innovation and Skills
Department said the suspension blocked the export of everything from small
arms ammunition to radars.

“This suspension will apply to licenses for the Egyptian Army, Air Force and internal security forces or ministry of the interior,” the British department said.

In a statement on Aug. 28, the British department said the licenses were deemed as containing equipment that could be used for Egyptian military or police repression of civilians. The licenses were said to have included
components for helicopters, communications, radars, combat vehicles as well as cryptographic systems.

“The 49 licenses now suspended cover a wide range of equipment, including spares for helicopters and aircraft, specialist software and communications equipment,” the department said.

The suspension was announced a week after the European Union agreed to
suspend export licenses that could facilitate the Egyptian military
crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood. In July, Britain revoked five licenses,
including armored vehicle and communications components, after the London
government determined that the equipment could be used for internal
repression.

“The UK position is clear,” British Business Secretary Vince Cable said.
“We will not grant export licenses where there is a clear risk that goods
might be used for internal repression.”

Officials did not cite the value of the suspension. Days earlier, the
government decided not to suspend an Egyptian order for components for
combat helicopters, reported at $67 million. Britain has been a leading
subcontractor for the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, manufactured by
Boeing.

  European Union, Muslim Brotherhood, UK suspends arms export permits to Egypt military, Vince Cable