Israel will not permit Germany to sell Spike anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, according to a report by the US outlet Axios on Wednesday. The missile is produced in Germany under an Israeli license, and Tel Aviv has to approve its export. The Pentagon had asked the top Israeli defense ministry official for the approval during his visit to Washington earlier this month, but was denied.
Israel is concerned Russian soldiers could be killed by Israeli-made weapons, which would then lead to Moscow harming Tel Aviv’s security interests in Syria, an anonymous senior Israeli official told Axios.
The issue came up two weeks ago, when director-general of the Israeli Ministry of Defense Amir Eshel visited the US. The Pentagon’s undersecretary for policy Colin Kahl had asked permission for Germany to export “Spikes” to Ukraine, according to the officials who spoke with Axios. Eshel said no, telling Kahl that Israel will only supply Kiev with non-lethal military equipment.