Israeli defence contractor signs deal with German firm
German submarine firm TKMS has signed a deal with Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence contractor.
German-Israeli ties look set to flourish once again amid reports that Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence contractor, has signed a deal with a German submarine firm, according to The New Arab and agencies on May 23rd.
TKMS, a German submarine manufacturer, announced the deal on May 23rd; TKMS chief executive Oliver Burkhard said the deal was formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed on May 20th.
Under this deal, TKMS, which maintains ties with the Israeli Navy and collaborates with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), would enhance technological capabilities.
Burkhard stated, “In today’s complex security environment, close cooperation between partners who share a similar worldview is essential to ensuring stability and resilience.” Elbit Systems CEO Bezhalel Machlis echoed this sentiment.
This deal was reached despite activists’ urging a boycott of Israeli contractors over concerns about complicity in war crimes amid Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.
Germany’s Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement accuses Elbit Systems, which specialises in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), electronic warfare systems and advanced artillery, of “involvement in war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.”
Furthermore, Elbit Systems supplies around 85% of Israel’s drones and land-based military equipment; the contractor advertises its self-propelled artillery systems as “battle tested.”
In August 2025, Germany suspended arms exports to Israel over Israeli plans to fully occupy Gaza; this suspension was lifted in November.
In January, Germany signed a security pact with Israel; in October 2025, a deal was made with a subsidiary of Israel’s Rafael contractor, Eurospike, to supply Germany’s army with anti-tank missiles.
Germany is not the only European country to continue arms sales with Israel, as Britain, France, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Serbia have all exported arms to Israel since 2023.
The US is Israel’s largest arms supplier, accounting for 53% of Israel’s total conventional arms imports since 2023; Germany accounts for the remaining 47%.
Israel’s defence ties are not limited to the US and Europe; Morocco has developed defence cooperation with Israel since officially normalising relations under the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020.
Thailand’s military used Israeli-made arms during border clashes with Cambodia in 2025, including weaponry from Elbit Systems, IAI and Rafael.
During a state visit to Israel in February, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed defence cooperation with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Maghrebi has contacted Elbit Systems for comment regarding calls to boycott the company, but has not received a response at the time of publication.
The New Arab and agencies, Maghrebi.org
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
