LONDON Ñ The British government has agreed to grant export licenses
for
British subsystems installed on F-16 multi-role fighters ordered by Israel.
British officials said the decision reflects heavy pressure by the
United States and F-16 manufacturer Lockheed Martin to ensure that
British subcontractors maintain their commitment to the warplane.
"Any interruption to the supply of these components would have serious
implications for the UK's defense relations with the United States," Foreign
Secretary Jack Straw said on Monday.
Britain has developed heads-up displays for the F-16 cockpit. This would
allow the pilot to see key data and operate weapons systems with the turn of
his head.
Officials said the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair was concerned
that failing to honor its commitment to Lockheed Martin would hurt British
contractors in the Joint Strike Fighter. Britain is the leading foreign
partner in the JSF, the prime contractor of which is Lockheed Martin.
Straw's announcement sparked criticism from parliamentarians who have
accused Israel of using U.S. weapons containing British components for
attacks on the Palestinian Authority. Several members of the ruling Labor
Party have demanded a British arms embargo on Israel.
"By announcing this change the government has further strengthened the
already overwhelming case for prior parliamentary scrutiny of sensitive arms
exports," Menzies Campbell, foreign affairs spokesman for the Liberal
Democrat party, said. "Who on earth believes that the hopes of peace in the
Middle East will be helped one bit by this decision, and just exactly what
would we refuse to export to areas of tension like India and Pakistan?"
But the government appeared to rule out any prospect of an embargo.
Straw said the HUD systems Ñ developed by BAe Systems Ñ comprise less than
one percent of the value of the F-16s, sold to Israel for about $40 million.
The first delivery of the F-16s are expected in 2003.
"One consequence of this change is that increasingly defense goods are
manufactured from components sourced in several different countries," Straw
said. "Appropriate use of arms exported to Israel by the U.S. is the subject
of regular dialogue between the two countries, and when the U.S. have
concerns they make these known to the Israelis. The
State Department has been monitoring Israeli actions carefully and will
continue to do so."
