Brighton factory parts are in type of F-35 fighter jets used in Israel

Anna Stavrianakis, a Professor in international relations at the University of Sussex, said that there were “difficult conversations to have” about the manufacturing of parts in the city that are used on fighter jets.

The comments come after a factory in the city was the centre of a protest by pro-Palestinian activists.

Ms Stavrianakis, an arms trade expert, said: “Brighton is a city that prides itself on being progressive.

“As a concerned citizen I think it is absolutely a problem."

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“We know that Israel uses F-35 planes to bomb Gaza.

“I think there is a conversation that I would like us to have in the city about whether these types of skilled, technical jobs are worth doing. These are difficult conversations to have.”

Information shared with The Argus shows that L3Harris holds an export license to send bomb rack units and explosive munition release systems, made at their site in Home Farm Business Park, Moulsecoomb, to the United States.

These parts are then used to create the F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. The plane “relies on L3Harris’s distinct pneumatic release technology to safely and reliably launch highly explosive missiles and munitions”.

F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin then say that their jets were sold to Israel through the U.S. Government’s Foreign Military Sales process from 2010.

Subcontracts from Lockheed Martin to L3Harris Release and Integrated Solutions dating back to October 2020 have been shown to be worth nearly $4.5 million.

Social media posts from the Israeli Defence Force suggest that F-35 planes are among those being used in Gaza.

Pro-Palestinian protesters stood outside the Moulsecoomb factory last week with banners calling for a ceasefire and “no bombs from Brighton”.

Other protests were also held across the country.

L3Harris were approached for comment.