Instro Precision Limited
| Instro Precision Limited | |
|---|---|
| Trade name | |
| Logo | 200px |
| Type | Private limited company |
| Founded | 6 March 1964 |
| Founder(s) | |
| Defunct | |
| Headquarters | Sentinel House, Artillery Way, Discovery Park, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9FL |
| Industry | Electro-optics, target acquisition, night vision, precision engineering (SIC 26511) |
| Services | |
| Parent | Elbit Systems UK Limited (wholly owned) |
| Subsidiaries | |
| Revenue | |
| Number of employees | ~83 (2024) |
| Homepage | instro.com |
Instro Precision Limited (company number 00794972) is a British manufacturer of military electro-optical and target-acquisition equipment. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems UK Limited, itself a subsidiary of the Israeli defence company Elbit Systems. The company is based at Sentinel House, Artillery Way, Discovery Park, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9FL.[1]
It specialises in electro-optics, precision tripods, target-acquisition systems, night-vision equipment and related soldier systems. Products include the SpectroXR imaging system (used on Israeli Skylark drones) and the XACT series of night-vision goggles and weapons sights, some of which have been supplied to the Israeli Defence Forces.[2][3]
Ownership and structure
Instro Precision Limited is controlled by Elbit Systems UK Limited, which became the person with significant control on 31 May 2016 (ownership of shares and voting rights 75–100%, right to appoint and remove directors). The ultimate parent is Elbit Systems Ltd. of Israel.[1][4]
The registered office is at Discovery Park in Sandwich, Kent. The site is leased; the landlord has been the subject of protest actions linked to the property’s association with an Elbit subsidiary.[5]
Products and IDF links
The company manufactures and supplies:
- Target-acquisition and electro-optical sensors
- Precision tripods and support systems
- Night-vision goggles and weapons sights (including XACT series)
- Components for unmanned aerial systems (including SpectroXR for Israeli Skylark drones)
Elbit Systems has stated that thousands of XACT weapons sights manufactured by Instro have been delivered to the Israeli military for use by infantry and special-operations marksmen. Cargo documents reviewed by Declassified UK and The Ditch showed multiple shipments of military tripods, tripod support systems, radar kits and aerial reflectors from the Kent site to Elbit factories in Israel (including Elisra) between November 2023 and May 2025.[2][6]
Export licences
Instro Precision Limited has held numerous UK military and dual-use export licences to Israel since 2021. Campaign Against Arms Trade data list approximately 25 licences. Many fall under the ML5 category (target acquisition and related systems). In 2024 the company was reported to have received over a dozen such licences for permanent shipment of arms to Israel.[4][2]
Protests and direct action
The Discovery Park site has been a repeated target of Palestine Action and related groups:
- Multiple blockades and occupations of entrances (2023–2025).
- June 2024 break-in in which activists entered the factory and caused substantial damage (reported by police and the group as exceeding £1 million). Several activists were charged; some related cases were later dismissed when the company declined to provide statements.
- September 2024 further action involving vehicles blocking entrances and red paint.
- Actions against subcontractors (e.g. Guardtech) and against the London address of the Discovery Park landlord.[2][7][8]
Directors
Current
| Name | Role | Date of birth | Appointed | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Clifford St John Fausset | Director | February 1957 | 4 December 2017 | British |
| John Frederick Knight | Director | August 1968 | 31 July 2021 | British |
| Nadav Yarden | Director | August 1969 | 10 May 2010 | Israeli |
Martin Clifford St John Fausset is also a director of Elbit Systems UK Limited and related UK entities. Nadav Yarden is an Israeli national whose correspondence address is listed at an Elbit Systems Electro-optics facility in Rehovot, Israel.[9]
Former directors (selected)
Numerous Israeli and British directors have served since the Elbit acquisition period, including Elad Aharonson, Adi Dar, Zachi Hadad, Shai Issler, Jacob Gadot, Joseph Gaspar, Dan Aubrey Slasky and Thomas Cross. Full historical lists are available on the Companies House officers page.[9]
See also
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Instro Precision Limited, Companies House.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Instro Precision: The UK arms firm sending targeting gear to Israel, Declassified UK, 8 May 2025.
- ↑ Palestine Action statements and reporting on Instro Precision products.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Elbit Systems, Campaign Against Arms Trade.
- ↑ Reporting on Discovery Park landlord protests, May 2025.
- ↑ ‘Vindicated’: How Palestine Action hit weapons factories exporting to Israel, Declassified UK, 21 January 2025.
- ↑ Arms factory invaders told they caused £1million in damage, Freedom Press, 19 June 2024.
- ↑ Palestine Action planned raid to 'smash up' factory in Sandwich, court hears, BBC News, 6 October 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Officers, Instro Precision Limited, Companies House.