Israel does not allow Germany to send Spike anti-tank missiles to Ukraine

The Spike anti-tank missile is manufactured in Germany under an Israeli license and must be approved for export by Tel Aviv. Earlier this month, the Pentagon asked a top Israeli Defense Ministry official for approval during his visit to Washington, but was denied.

Israel is concerned that Russian soldiers could be killed by Israeli-made weapons, which would lead to Moscow coming into conflict with Tel Aviv in Syria, an anonymous senior Israeli official told Axios.

The issue arose two weeks ago, when a senior Israeli defense official, Amir Eshel, visited the Pentagon. US Deputy Secretary of Defense Colin Kahl has offered Germany to export Spike missiles to Ukraine. However, Mr. Eshel said no, stressing that Israel would only provide Kiev with non-lethal military equipment.

On May 18, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz traveled to Washington to hold talks with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, but the officials did not mention a transfer. Spike rocket in the meeting. On the same day, Israel announced that it had sent 2,000 helmets and 500 protective suits to Ukraine.

The Pentagon did not officially comment on the report.

Developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense System, the Spike first entered service in the 1980s. The missile can be armed with an anti-tank warhead or a highly lethal, guided explosive warhead. by the operator or by line of sight. The US and some of its NATO allies have equipped this missile on attack helicopters.

In recent weeks, the US and its allies have shipped thousands of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, as well as artillery, armored vehicles, tanks and helicopters. Russia claims most of those weapons will be destroyed by cruise missile strikes.

There has also been some friction between the NATO allies. In particular, Poland accused Germany of not sending its Leopard tanks to replace the hundreds of T-72s that Warsaw had sent to Kiev.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on May 25, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said the situation in Donbass was “extremely bad”, noting that their forces would not be able to continue the offensive. unless the US sends more missile launchers (MLRSs).