Anglo‐Israeli strategic relations, 1952–56

Getting the Better of the Bargain: Technical Intelligence, Arms Sales, and Anglo-Israeli Relations 1967–1974

“…A similar request made by Shimon Peres, director general of Israel's Defence Ministry, was also turned down; London again cited concerns about upsetting the military balance vis-á-vis Jordan, although Israel's main military threat remained Egypt. 17 Only in 1958 -following the overthrow of the Hashemite monarchy in Iraq -did Britain relent in its arms policy to Israel and release the Centurion tanks. Even then, the Foreign Office ultimately decided the scale and scope of these sales, contingent on Israel's relations with Jordan and Tel Aviv remaining discreet about the scope and scale of its tank purchases from Britain.…”

Centurions and Chieftains: Tank Sales and British Policy towards Israel in the Aftermath of the Six-Day War

“…Zach Levey has noted that 'London's refusal to deliver the Centurion tank, the military item Israel most wanted to purchase from Britain, meant that in Israeli eyes, Britain had failed the litmus test of willingness to ensure the security of the Jewish state.' 11 From the late 1950s, however, Britain became a major provider of tanks to Israel, supplying some 660 Centurions by 1970. 12 Indeed, the Centurion became Israel's main battlefield tank, a significant development against the background of the intractable Arab-Israeli dispute and Israel's ongoing sense of insecurity.…”