With the Federal government covering for them, a Canberra-based company has supplied lethal weapons to a country accused of war crimes and genocide.
by Michelle Fahy | 26 Apr, 2025
The Australian counter-drone weapons system seen at a weapons demonstration in Israel recently is actually just one of a few that were sold by the Canberra-based company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) and sent through its wholly-owned US subsidiary to Israel, Declassified Australia can reveal.
It was the ABC who broke the news of the EOS weapons system being provided for the demonstration trial. In response, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continued to insist, as he has since the war in Gaza began, that Australia does not sell weapons to Israel.
However the weapon displayed wasn’t just provided on loan for the demonstration – the weapon has been “sold” to the Israelis. Declassified Australia can reveal that EOS, by its own admission, sold more than one of its R400 weapons systems to the Israelis prior to the demonstration.
An EOS company presentation, titled “2024 Full Year Results”, describes a “potential new customer” for the R400 weapon in the “Middle East” (page 36). The presentation, prepared for EOS shareholders and lodged with the Australian Stock Exchange, is dated 25 February 2025.
EOS describes this potential new customer for its R400 as a “Preliminary” stage opportunity, valued at less-than-A$100m, and states that more than one weapon was sold:
“Sample products sold, demo held, discussions underway.” [Emphasis added]
The company also points out a sense of urgency with the potential sale:
“Potential to accelerate due to operational requirements.”