The Pakistani military has confirmed that several Israeli drones launched into its airspace by India were powered by engines manufactured in the United Kingdom, raising new concerns about the international defence supply chain and arms sales oversight.
The claim follows the circulation of drone engine images in Pakistani and international media last week. The images showed intact engine components from drones allegedly shot down by Pakistani forces. Middle East Eye (MEE) matched one of the images with the AR731 rotary engine model made by UAV Engines Ltd, a UK-based subsidiary of Israel’s Elbit Systems.
The AR731 engine, known for its high power-to-weight ratio, appears identical to those displayed on the manufacturer’s website. UAV Engines Ltd is located in Shenstone, Staffordshire, and has long been known to supply engines to Israeli defence firms, including Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
According to MEE, a source in the Indian government confirmed that Israeli drones had been launched into Pakistan and that at least one had been shot down. Pakistan’s military reported that it had neutralised a total of 77 drones, including Israeli-made Harop and SkyStriker suicide drones — both developed by IAI and Elbit Systems, respectively.
The Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune also reported that the military had traced the engines of some drones to UAV Engines Ltd.
UK Government Asked for Clarification
The British Department for Business and Trade declined to confirm whether it had authorised sales of these specific UAV engines to Israel or India. UAV Engines Ltd has also not issued a public comment.
UAV Engines Ltd user manuals from about ten years ago list IAI as a recipient, though newer documents do not disclose client information. Video footage from Karachi, where a drone was reportedly shot down on 8 May, shows a young boy carrying a similar engine, said to have been retrieved from the wreckage.
India-Israel Defence Ties and the Role of Adani Group
An Indian government official told MEE that some of the drones launched into Pakistani territory were supplied by the Adani Group, a private Indian conglomerate that collaborates with Elbit Systems through joint production ventures. India has become one of Israel’s largest arms customers, importing an estimated $2.9 billion in military hardware over the past decade.
UK Arms Sales to India Under Scrutiny
The news adds pressure on the UK government, which is already facing criticism over arms exports to conflict regions. Labour MPs raised concerns last week after Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the UK should not be “squeamish” about selling weapons to India, despite tensions in Kashmir and the ongoing drone incidents with Pakistan.
MP Kim Johnson called the remarks “deeply troubling,” while MP Jon Trickett warned that supplying arms to one side in an active regional conflict risked diplomatic consequences and undermined Britain’s stated neutrality.
Broader Context of Arms Transfers and Legal Challenges
The incident comes as the UK government faces a separate legal challenge in its High Court from Palestinian rights group Al-Haq, over the continued supply of parts for F-35 fighter jets used by Israel.
Despite suspending 30 arms export licences to Israel in September 2024, UK-Israel arms trade continues. A recent report based on Israeli import data revealed ongoing transfers of UK-made components and weapons systems.
Ceasefire and Upcoming Talks
After four days of drone incursions and retaliatory shelling across the India-Pakistan border, both sides agreed to a ceasefire on Saturday. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the UK and other countries for facilitating the diplomatic breakthrough.
Top military officials from India and Pakistan are scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the ceasefire framework and future de-escalation mechanisms.
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