# Elbit Systems Could Pocket A £2bn Contract To Train British Soldiers

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfbOwi_wNUE
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/zfbOwi_wNUE
Generated: 2025-08-21T20:32:59.027+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The UK Ministry of Defence is close to awarding a £2 billion contract for military training to Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms firm, which critics argue is problematic due to the company's involvement in the Gaza war and potential for Israeli influence on British military training.

**Key Points:**
- Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms firm, is poised to win a £2 billion UK Ministry of Defence contract for military training.
- The contract aims to transform military training through digitalization and simulation, potentially making Elbit a key 'strategic partner' for the MOD.
- Concerns exist regarding Elbit's alleged involvement in the Gaza war and the ethical implications of awarding them this contract.
- Elbit has appointed former MOD officials to its UK board, suggesting efforts to gain inside access.
- Foreign lobbying, particularly by Israeli groups and the Israeli embassy, is highlighted as a significant factor in influencing UK and US politicians.
- Elbit and other pro-Israel groups are described as actively lobbying politicians and media to shape public opinion and policy.
- The video suggests that the influence of such lobbying and Elbit's financial backing is substantial and potentially problematic for national interests.

![Screenshot at 00:28: A graphic displaying the title of the article: 'Elbit Systems, which as Israel's largest arms firm is a key cog in the Israeli war machine, is close to winning a £2bn contract that would make it a "strategic partner" of the Ministry of Defence, working on the training of 60,000 British soldiers every year.'

This screenshot visually represents the core claim of the video, introducing Elbit Systems and the significant contract they are competing for, setting the stage for the subsequent discussion on lobbying and ethical concerns.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zfbOwi_wNUE/00-00-28.png)

**Context:** The video discusses the significant financial and political influence exerted by foreign entities, particularly Israel and its associated lobbying groups, on Western governments and media. It highlights how companies like Elbit Systems leverage this influence to secure lucrative contracts and shape public perception, even when facing ethical scrutiny. The content draws parallels between lobbying efforts in the UK and the US, suggesting a coordinated strategy to influence policy and public opinion in favor of certain geopolitical interests.

## Detailed Analysis

The video discusses a potential £2 billion contract between the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms firm, for military training. Elbit Systems UK, the British arm of the company, is bidding for the Army Collective Training Service contract, which would involve transforming military training through digitalization and simulation. The contract is valued at £2 billion and would make Elbit a "strategic partner" of the MOD, responsible for training 60,000 British soldiers annually. The report highlights Elbit's existing contract for Project Vulcan, a £57 million deal for simulation-based training for tank crews. The video raises concerns about the appropriateness of awarding such a significant contract to Elbit, given the company's alleged involvement in the Gaza war and its potential to influence British military training with its own geopolitical interests. It is noted that Elbit has appointed two former MOD figures to its UK board of directors, Sir Simon Bollom and Sir Mark Pfaffley. The report also mentions that in February, the MOD reduced the bidders to two: Elbit and Raytheon, paying each company £2 million to develop their bids. The decision was expected imminently. The video also touches upon the broader issue of foreign lobbying, referencing reports about MPs being lobbied by Israeli groups, including the pro-Israel lobbying group BICOM, and the Israeli embassy, to proscribe Palestine Action. The narrative suggests that Elbit's lobbying efforts, including appointments of former MOD officials, are aimed at securing this lucrative contract, despite the ethical questions surrounding the company's activities.

### Elbit Systems' Bid

- Elbit Systems UK is bidding for a £2bn MOD contract to train British soldiers through digitalization and simulation
- The company is already involved in Project Vulcan, a simulation-based training contract
- Elbit has appointed former MOD figures to its UK board

### Concerns about Elbit

- The company's alleged involvement in the Gaza war raises ethical questions
- Critics argue Elbit's geopolitical interests could influence British military training

### MOD Contract Process

- Elbit is one of two finalists for the Army Collective Training Service contract
- The MOD paid £2m to each finalist to develop bids
- The decision was expected imminently

### Lobbying Efforts

- Reports indicate Israeli groups and the Israeli embassy lobby UK politicians
- Elbit has lobbied the Home Office on Palestine Action court cases
- Elbit's lobbying includes influencing policy and obtaining contracts

### Broader Context

- The video draws parallels to Elbit's lobbying efforts in the UK with those of other countries
- It highlights the strategic importance of such contracts for defense firms

![Screenshot at 00:28: A graphic displaying the title of the article: 'Elbit Systems, which as Israel's largest arms firm is a key cog in the Israeli war machine, is close to winning a £2bn contract that would make it a "strategic partner" of the Ministry of Defence, working on the training of 60,000 British soldiers every year.'](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zfbOwi_wNUE/00-00-28.png)
![Screenshot at 01:01: A screenshot of a news article stating: 'Many defence giants put in bids, but in February the MoD reduced the bidders to two: Elbit and Raytheon. The MoD paid the companies £2m each to develop their bids. The development period was supposed to run until mid-August, meaning the final decision is imminent.'](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zfbOwi_wNUE/00-01-01.png)
![Screenshot at 01:19: A screenshot of a news article detailing Elbit's strategy: 'Elbit has certainly done its best to get the inside track with the ministry, appointing two top former MoD figures to its UK board of directors: Sir Simon Bollom \(who made the move in June see Eye 1651\) and Sir Mark Pfaffley.'](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zfbOwi_wNUE/00-01-19.png)
![Screenshot at 02:53: A screenshot of a news article titled 'Labour held secret meeting with top Israeli arms firm'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zfbOwi_wNUE/00-02-53.png)
![Screenshot at 03:05: A screenshot of a news article titled 'Israeli arms firm lobbied Home Office on Palestine Action court case'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zfbOwi_wNUE/00-03-05.png)
![Screenshot at 03:35: A quote from the speaker stating: 'For a very long time Israel was able to rely on propaganda and the successes of its intelligence services, and on its narrative, which it was able to present to the world, and it was successful in that, and that is why it is so bloody successful. And that is why Israel is so bloody successful... Israel is the last resort.'](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zfbOwi_wNUE/00-03-35.png)
![Screenshot at 04:02: A quote from the speaker stating: 'Israel has certainly done its best to get the inside track with the ministry, appointing two top former MoD figures to its UK board of directors: Sir Simon Bollom \(who made the move in June see Eye 1651\) and Sir Mark Pfaffley.'](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zfbOwi_wNUE/00-04-02.png)
![Screenshot at 04:35: A quote from the speaker: 'I think that there's a strong case to be made that if you look at spending on Israel's PR machinery or on Israel's intelligence services, that is of a similar order of expenditure to what it was spending on its secret weapons program.'](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zfbOwi_wNUE/00-04-35.png)
![Screenshot at 05:56: A quote from the speaker: 'So, you know, think of the military aid that Israel receives from the United States, three point eight billion dollars every year for Israel's defence contractors, and Israel is the only country that has these special waivers, they don't have to buy from American defence contractors. They can buy from Israeli defence contractors.'](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zfbOwi_wNUE/00-05-56.png)
![Screenshot at 08:50: A quote from the speaker: 'And I think it's really interesting that, you know, Maya challenges me on this, but I have had multiple invitations to go to Israel with them, and I have said no every time.' That's when they're getting asked more and more and more.'](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/zfbOwi_wNUE/00-08-50.png)