UK firm Gama Aviation aided RAF spy flights over Gaza: Declassified UK
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Gama's longstanding relationship with the RAF, which includes assisting in the acquisition and modification of the original airframes, has made the company a critical partner in spy operations.
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Destroyed buildings by Israeli bombardments as seen inside the Gaza Strip from the occupied territories, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 (AP Photo)
Declassified UK on Friday published an investigation revealing the crucial role of a British company, Gama Aviation, in supporting Royal Air Force (RAF) surveillance operations over Gaza.
Located near Bournemouth Airport in southern England, Gama Aviation has been instrumental in maintaining the RAF's Shadow R1 reconnaissance fleet, which has conducted regular flights over Gaza since December 2023. These missions, carried out ostensibly to aid in locating captives, have drawn criticism for potentially enabling Israeli military actions that have targeted Palestinian civilians.
Gama's responsibilities include providing maintenance, design, and repair services for the RAF's fleet of six Shadow planes. Without this technical expertise, the RAF's ability to sustain near-daily surveillance flights would have been significantly hampered. These operations relied on the planes' advanced surveillance systems, capable of collecting intelligence and transmitting it live via satellite.
The aircraft routinely traveled between Britain's Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus and Gama's Bournemouth facility for maintenance. Each flight typically lasted around four hours above Gaza, gathering intelligence.
Concerns have been raised that the surveillance data may have been shared in real time with Israeli forces. Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) warned of Gama's potential complicity in what the group has outwardly labelled as "Israel's genocide in Gaza."
"People in Bournemouth will be horrified to know that this local company is responsible for ensuring these flights stay operational," said Emily Apple, a spokesperson for CAAT.
Amnesty International has also criticized Britain's involvement, calling for an immediate halt to all military and security support to "Israel", citing the risk of complicity in violations of international humanitarian law.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) claims that the surveillance operations were solely focused on the captives recovery efforts, including those involving British nationals.
"The RAF routinely conducts unarmed flights to locate hostages and promote regional stability," an MoD spokesperson stated, refusing to confirm whether intelligence was shared with Israeli forces.
Maintenance and Operational Demands
The demands of frequent flights over Gaza have taken a toll on the Shadow R1 fleet, with the planes requiring regular servicing to remain operational. High-powered electrical systems on the aircraft are known to strain their performance, particularly in warmer climates like Gaza, Oman, and Afghanistan.
Flight records show the aircraft regularly rotated between Cyprus and Gama's Bournemouth site for maintenance. One aircraft, identified as ZZ504, spent months grounded in Bournemouth after an accident, while another (ZZ417) remained out of service for long-term maintenance.
Gama's longstanding relationship with the RAF, which includes assisting in the acquisition and modification of the original airframes, has made the company a critical partner in these operations.
Paul Bristow, Gama's former engineering director, acknowledged this in 2012, saying, "We appreciate the confidence the MoD have placed in the Gama team in supporting Shadow R1 operations."
Read more: UK offers 'Israel' psy-op tactics, arms, spyplanes: Declassified
Questions of Effectiveness
The UK's involvement began shortly after the collapse of a ceasefire in December 2023.
Although some captives were freed through negotiations, military efforts supported by the intelligence flights have resulted in high civilian casualties in Gaza.
Captives rescue missions have also been marred by controversy. In some cases, Israeli operations led to the deaths of captives, either through direct fire or retaliatory actions by Hamas.
The use of RAF surveillance assets for these missions has raised broader concerns about Britain's role in the war on Gaza and its implications for international law. While the ceasefire agreement reached this week may halt flights temporarily, the year-long operations have exposed the contentious nature of the UK's military collaboration with "Israel."
For Gama Aviation, this work has been described as part of its "special missions" strategy. The company has previously identified its partnerships with the UK government, particularly the MoD, as a "strategic imperative."
However, Gama has remained silent in the face of repeated inquiries about its involvement.
#GazaGenocide
— AllEyesOnGaza&Lebanon (@NWO_Covid_WW3) January 17, 2025
Gama Aviation
Gama Aviation founder & CEO
Marwan (Arab) Abdel (Iraqi) - Khalek (Egyptian).
Company Director ** Israeli **resident
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