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Israeli Military Tests Australian-Designed Weapon System Despite PM’s Assurance of No Arms Sales

April 11, 2025

By The South Asia Times

Canberra – The Israeli military has tested a weapon system developed by an Australian company, raising questions about Canberra's stance on arms sales to Israel, according media reports.

The system, a remote weapon station designed by Canberra-based defense firm Electro Optic Systems (EOS), was reportedly trialed by the Israeli army earlier this year as part of a broader evaluation of counter-drone technologies, ABC News reported.

According to the report, components of the system were manufactured in Australia, shipped to an EOS facility in the United States for assembly, and then sent to Israel — all without requiring an official Australian export permit.

The development comes despite repeated statements from the Australian government denying any arms transfers to Israel.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded to the report on Friday, reaffirming that Australia is not supplying weapons to Israel.

“I am aware of the report. We looked into this matter, and the company has confirmed with the Department of Defense that the particular system was not exported from Australia,” he said in an interview with ABC.

Albanese has previously stated that his government does not support arms sales to Israel, amid growing domestic pressure and ongoing pro-Palestinian protests calling for sanctions over Israel’s military actions in Gaza.