NATO suspended Israel's arms maker

NATO suspends Israel’s arms maker

Brussels (dpa) — NATO is excluding Elbit Systems, one of Israel’s largest defence contractors, from procurement proceedings as investigations into allegations of corruption proceed, dpa learned from alliance sources on Monday.

Media outlets Follow the Money, La Lettre, Knack and Le Soir had earlier published the outcome of a joint investigation into Elbit, finding that it could have engaged in illegal practices in securing contracts.

Elbit did not initially react to a request for a statement.

The decision to exclude Elbit was taken in the summer following corruption allegations and arrests that became known in May, according to information received by dpa.

At the time, Belgian prosecutors said that staff at the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) had passed confidential information to arms manufacturers. They also said there was evidence that money from these illegal dealings had been laundered by setting up consultancies.

NATO suspends Israel’s arms maker

Contracts mentioned in this connection included deals for drones and ammunition.

Contracts worth billions pass through NSPA’s hands. In 2024, the agency announced that framework agreements for the supply of artillery ammunition to the value of €1.1 billion ($1.3 billion) had been concluded.

A NATO spokesman said the alliance would not comment while investigations were proceeding, but added than the NSPA was cooperating fully with prosecutors. A new internal working group had been set up to increase investigating capacity, he added.

No information has thus far emerged on the extent of the damage caused, or the level of any bribes paid. Charges of membership of a criminal organization, bribery and corruption and money laundering are being considered.