Elbit Systems loses billions as UK ditches drone contract

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Palestine Action
22 Nov 2024 23:53
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Elbit Systems has lost over two billion dollars after a Watchkeeper drone contract was revoked by the United Kingdom.

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Activists from Palestine Action taking action against "Israel's" weapons trade. (Palestine Action/X)

Israeli arms company Elbit Systems is losing out on a whopping $2.1 billion after the United Kingdom decided to scrap a fleet of drones manufactured and supplied by the firm.

According to the British Defense Ministry, the UK plans to ditch a fleet of 47 unmanned Watchkeeper drones produced by Elbit Systems next year. The drone program is typically built at UAV Tactical Systems, an Elbit facility located in Leicester, a city in England's Midlands.

The Watchkeeper design is based on Elbit’s Hermes 450 drone, which has been marketed as combat-proven through its use against Palestinians.

Since "Israel" launched its unrelenting genocide in Gaza last year, the pro-Palestine group, Palestine Action, has systematically targeted Elbit Systems' headquarters and facilities across the UK, including UAV Tactical Systems.

"Elbit losing its biggest contract signifies the beginning of the end for the Israeli weapons maker’s presence in this country,” a spokesperson for Palestine Action said on Friday.

BREAKING: Elbit Systems UK loses its biggest contract worth over £2billion, as the Ministry of Defence scraps the Watchkeeper drone project.

This comes after sustained direct action caused severe disruption to Leicester's Israeli weapons factory, the site leading the production. pic.twitter.com/rq8Fx53kh8
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) November 22, 2024

While the Defense Ministry claimed the Watchkeeper drones were being scrapped for "aging", the initial military plan stated that the fleet would actually sustain the British military for two decades, until 2042.

It is worth noting that Elbit Systems is known for supplying the Israeli occupation forces with drones, munitions, combat vehicles, missiles, and various other types of weaponry. According to the British newspaper Morning Star, "The majority of their arms are marketed as 'battle-tested,' meaning they have been deployed in bombardments against the Palestinian people."

Back in March, Palestine Action compelled Elbit Systems to permanently close yet another weapons factory in the UK, despite facing arrests, raids, and imprisonment.

The group announced that its efforts have led to the permanent closure of Elbit Systems' Elite KL factory in Tamworth, Staffordshire, marking the third Elbit Systems site in the UK to be forced to shutter permanently by Palestine Action.