BERLIN (Chatnewstv.com) — Germany has signed a €350 million ($379 million) defense contract with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to equip its air force with advanced targeting pods, even as Berlin moves to restrict arms exports to Israel over its military operations in Gaza.
Rafael said Tuesday it would supply about 90 of its Litening 5 targeting and navigation pods for the German Air Force’s Eurofighter Typhoon jets. The system, capable of guiding precision air-to-ground weapons at targets up to 100 kilometers away, has been delivered to 28 air forces worldwide.
“This is the most advanced generation of the Litening system,” the company said, noting the modular pods can be integrated with nearly 30 types of fighter aircraft.
The German parliament approved the acquisition in June. The air force had previously used earlier versions of the system, including the Litening 3.
The deal comes amid Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s announcement this month of an arms embargo on Israel, aimed at restricting German exports that could be used in Gaza. The measures do not affect German purchases of Israeli weapons, however, allowing contracts like the Rafael agreement to go forward.
Analysts say the embargo could still complicate Israel’s access to German-made components, including engines for Merkava tanks, submarines and Saar 6 patrol ships.
The targeting pod contract is the latest in a string of Israeli defense sales to Germany. Last month, Elbit Systems signed a $260 million deal to provide laser-based defense systems for A400M transport aircraft, while earlier this year it secured a $60 million contract for rocket artillery launchers. The biggest deal to date remains the Arrow 3 missile defense system, a record-breaking agreement worth about NIS 14 billion ($3.8 billion) between Germany, Israel Aerospace Industries and the Israeli Defense Ministry.
