Purchasing the rights to the Tavor

[jango]

The Tavor is turning out to be doing very well on the international arms sale. But one thing that concerns me is Israel is refusing to sell the manufacturing rights of the Tavor to anyone and to produce the Tavor in Israel only.

By all indications the Tavor is a great system but i would not want to have it if i could not purchase the manufacturing rights for the tavor to produce it in my own country for its defence forces.

What are the risks that a country that then decised to get the Tavor may face in regards to this issue ?

[Alpheus]

With the coming worldwide economic troubles, I'm not surprised Israel wants to keep as much manufacturing in-country as they can. Plus they might have other reasons for not letting anyone make licensed copies.

[deagle]

i'm sure a country looking to buy can find another weapons system from another country willing to sell.

[Anthony91]

i'm sure a country looking to buy can find another weapons system from another country willing to sell.

Seriously, it's not like the Tavor is God's gift to firearms.

[Seiran]

Maybe not, but I'll be buying one.

[cliffg]

jango:

If I may, why would Israel's refusal to license the Tavor be of such concern to you - I mean, enough to start a thread about it? If you think their business model is lacking, perhaps it would be more effective for you to fire off an email to IMI, or the Israeli Embassy in Canberra.

And the risks in this case are the same, in essence, as buying a foreign car. Repairs and changes are likely expensive, and spare parts availability can be a real bitch. As an AUG (semi-auto F88) owner, I have some understanding here.

[jango]

jango:

If I may, why would Israel's refusal to license the Tavor be of such concern to you - I mean, enough to start a thread about it? If you think their business model is lacking, perhaps it would be more effective for you to fire off an email to IMI, or the Israeli Embassy in Canberra.

And the risks in this case are the same, in essence, as buying a foreign car. Repairs and changes are likely expensive, and spare parts availability can be a real bitch. As an AUG (semi-auto F88) owner, I have some understanding here.Australia bought the rights to produce an Australian version of the AUG so the issue of spare parts availability are not an issue for the ADF. Were the countrys who have gone with the tavor now face this as a potential issue. It sounds like you privately own an AUG. The issue is about a goverment and it's defence department owning and thus producing it own spare parts for their Tavor and not relying on israel to do it for them

[cliffg]

The issue is about a goverment and it's defence department owning and thus producing it own spare parts for their Tavor and not relying on israel to do it for them

Actually, jango, the issue I was raising was why this is such an issue with you - enough to warrent it's own thread. Is your concern because you are involved in your nation's arms procurement (contractor, MoD employee, staff officer), or is your question merely academic? Why is it relevant to you how the Israeli's market their weapons?

[D.E. Watters]

I was under the impression that India licensed production of the Tavor. The Ordnance Factory Board has advertised it as the Zittara.

[pretorian669]

I was under the impression that India licensed production of the Tavor. The Ordnance Factory Board has advertised it as the Zittara.

That's correct. Also "Fort" of Ukraine will be producing the Tavor.

http://www.altair.com.pl/start-1862

Check out the picture at the bottom of the page. Tavor with "Fort" trademark and symbol on the buttstock area instead of IWI.

A link to the interview with the Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs where he says that the weapon will be adopted by Special Forces of the Ministery of Internal Affairs :
http://community.livejournal.com/mil_history/391470.html

[pretorian669]

Seriously, it's not like the Tavor is God's gift to firearms.

Blasphemy!!!:)

[jango]

Actually, jango, the issue I was raising was why this is such an issue with you - enough to warrent it's own thread. Is your concern because you are involved in your nation's arms procurement (contractor, MoD employee, staff officer), or is your question merely academic? Why is it relevant to you how the Israeli's market their weapons? I ask becouse i want to know what people think.

[cliffg]

I ask becouse i want to know what people think.

Oh. I suppose there are people out there very concerned about Israeli arms licensing policies, but I guess I'm just not one of 'em.

My apologies.

[Tyan]

let me tell all of you this,

Parts of the Tavor is made in here, the USA, and paid for with US military aids. That's why it can't be licensed build elsewhere. That maybe change in the future but until then, no one else can make it.

[D.E. Watters]

Tyan: The US State Department wouldn't have a say in where the Tavor could be licensed unless it had been designed by a US citizen, if the US financed its development, or if parts had to be supplied from a US manufacturer.

[Tyan]

Are you sure? So, what happen to the Israeli AWAC deal with China? The the blocking of sale of their UAV to few countries? The US state dept can block sale of any Israeli weapon if they wanted to.

[D.E. Watters]

Certainly the US can apply diplomatic pressure and wave the "carrot and stick" of aid money. But there is no blanket legal restriction on Israel selling its own domesticly developed arms. IMI/IWI has licensed the Uzi and Galil for foreign production without raising any eyebrows. The US only cares when Israel tries to sell something to a country where it might be turned against the US or an US ally.

To turn it around, Israel has often raised a diplomatic stink when the US offers to sell advanced weaponry to an Arab neighbor.