BAE Systems

Additional Details

BAE Systems plc is a British multinational aerospace, arms and information security company, based in London.t is the largest manufacturer in Britain as of 2017.It is the largest defence contractor in Europe and the sixth largest in the world based on applicable 2024 revenues. BAE Systems supplies the Israeli military with a wide variety of weapons, including components for combat aircraft, munitions and missile launching kits. BAE technologies are also integrated into Israel's main weapon systems, including fighter jets and drones . BAE Systems provides weapon systems and components to the Israeli Air Force's fleet of F-15, F-16, and F-35 fighter jets. For example, it collaborates with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to develop the tail of the F-35 fighter jet, a combat aircraft that has been supplied to the Israeli Air Force since 2016. In 2018, BAE was contracted to manufacture $20.4 million worth of transmitters for Israel's F-35s through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales program. The Israeli Air Force has since used the F-35 to launch airstrikes in and around Gaza. Additionally, BAE has provided the Israeli military with electronic missile launching kits and gunsight technology for F-16 aircraft. Israel's use of these weapons against civilians in Gaza from 2008 to 2009 came under scrutiny in the UK parliament, as it violated the UK's arms export guidelines. As a result, the British government reviewed its arms exports to Israel and eventually refused to export certain weapon components in 2011 and 2012 due to various concerns, over, for example, Israel's "respect for human rights and international humanitarian law." Until 2021, BAE also developed and manufactured components for Israeli combat aircraft through its subsidiary Rokar International. Based in Jerusalem, Rokar is the Israeli Air Force's sole supplier of anti-missile defense systems installed on F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, as well as Apache attack helicopters. In 2021, Rokar was acquired by Elbit Systems. BAE has supplied Israeli weapon manufacturer IMI Systems (owned by Elbit Systems since 2018) with its Silver Bullet for integration into M401 155mm cannon artillery. -- Listed on LSE (BA.), BAE Systems plc is backed by leading sovereign wealth funds, most notably NBIM and GIC, alongside major global asset managers.