Uzbekistan

Arms Sold:

Additional Arms:
Candiru Spyware, Assault Rifles

Companies:

Additional Companies:
CAA Industries,

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Uzbekistan

Introduction

Israel and Uzbekistan hold economic, educational, scientific and military relations. Israel reportedly sold drones, small arms and spyware to Uzbekistan.

Israel – Uzbekistan Relations

Uzbekistan has long had a relatively strong relationship with the state of Israel. Israel was one of the first countries to recognize Uzbekistan after the dissolution of the USSR.[1]Enjoying good relations with a Muslim state: Uzbekistan and Israel

Uzbekistan imports Israeli technology and medical equipment and exports textiles and chemicals to Israel.[2]Enjoying good relations with a Muslim state: Uzbekistan and Israel In 2021, Uzbekistan exported to Israel US $3.69 million, with clothing & foodstuffs being the largest part.  Her imports from Israel were US $12.69 million, with electrical or electronic equipment and other machinery the largest categories.[3]OEC World Report Bilateral Countries Israel-Uzbekistan  Discussions have been ongoing, however, about increased ties, such as a joint Chamber of Commerce, and the sharing of Israeli expertise & technology regarding agriculture and medicine.[4]After UAE, Uzbekistan opening its doors to Israeli companies/ Israeli exchange programs have also provided education to Uzbekis, especially in the fields of agriculture and energy.[5]Uzbekistan and Israel are strengthening their relationship In 2019 Uzbekistan signed an MOU with Israel’s Watergen company for water generation technology.[6]Israeli company that makes water out of thin air signs deal with Uzbekistan. According to Maariv, trade between countries stands on $40-45m a year.[7]Uzbekistan and Israel relations, Maariv

In 2019 educational institutions of Uzbekistan and Israel agreed to establish cooperation which will include joint training of Uzbek specialists in such areas as information technology, industrial design, applied mathematics, alternative energy and others.[8]Educational institutions of Uzbekistan and Israel to establish cooperation

In July 2022 Israel’s Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked and the adviser to the Uzbek Prime Minister, Kharidin Khardinov, signed a bilateral agreement, which will regulate recruiting and bringing into Israel of Uzbek nursing staff.[9]Israel tightens ties with Uzbekistan

Military Relations

According to “Drone Wars UK”, Elbit sold Hermes-450 drones to Uzbekistan in 2012.[10]ISRAEL AND THE DRONE WARS[11]Russia to Buy Aeronautics Orbiter Mini-UAV Systems

In 2015 it was reported that IAI purchased aircrafts from Uzbekistan and upgraded them at facilities of the Tashkent Mechanical Plant in Taganrog for surveillance functions for India.[12]Israel to expand AEW fleet for India

In 2020 CAA Industries, an Israeli weapons giant, founded by CEO Moshe Oz, has recently engaged in a deal worth $6 million dollars with the Ministry of Defence in Uzbekistan. According to the deal, CAA Industries will replace thousands of Uzbek law enforcement and military assault weapons.[13]Israeli Companies Are Already Enjoying the Warming Relations with Uzbekistan [14]The Rapid Recovery of Israeli Weapons Industry and New-Promises

In 2019 Kapersky Lab and Citizen Lab reported that Candiru appears to have sold its spyware to Uzbekistan’s National Security Service.[15]Hooking Candiru Another Mercenary Spyware Vendor Comes into Focus [16]Meet Candiru — The Mysterious Mercenaries Hacking Apple And Microsoft PCs For Profit

In February 2022 Uzbekistan Airways Technics, which is the structural unit of JSC Uzbekistan Airways, reached an agreement with IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) to develop a partnership for the joint creation of a line to convert Boeing 767 passenger aircraft into cargo configuration.[17]The results of the MRO Middle East 2022 in Dubai  In July 2022 the Minister of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan held a meeting with the Director General for Marketing and Business Development of IAI.[18]The prospects for cooperation with the Israeli concern “Israel Aerospace Industries” were discussed The meeting discussed the implementation of joint projects for the provision of services in the field of civil aviation.[19]The prospects for cooperation with the Israeli concern “Israel Aerospace Industries” were discussed

Violations of Human Rights

Protection of human rights in Uzbekistan has been among the worst in the world since the country declared independence in 1991 after the dissolution of the USSR.  For example, Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) 2010 report began “The Uzbek government’s human rights record remains atrocious”.  Substantial human rights concerns exist in virtually every area.[20]HRW World Report : Uzbekistan 2010

After the death of President Islam Karimov in 2016 and the appointment and subsequent election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, there was some hope of improvement.  In 2020, Uzbekistan adopted the National Human Rights Strategy of Uzbekistan as a vehicle to implement international human rights treaties and standards.[21]Uzbekistan is building a culture of Human Rights, but concerns about political prisoners, torture, forced labour and corruption remain experts of the Human Rights Committee say But recent reports from HRW and Amnesty International show little improvement, grave concerns and even regression in some areas.[22]HRW World Report 2022 Uzbekistan [23]Amnesty Uzbekistan Report Restrictions include those on freedom of expression, assembly, and peaceful association, including legislative changes in 2021 that criminalized criticism of the president.  A 2022 protest and clashes with security forces led to 18 deaths and 243 injuries, and a request by the UNOCR head for an investigation.[24]UN rights chief calls for probe into deadly protest in Uzbekistan

The apparent purchase of Israeli-made Candiru software by the National Security Services[25]Hooking Candiru Another Mercenary Spyware Vendor Comes into Focus[26]Forbes : Meet Candiru — The Mysterious Mercenaries Hacking Apple And Microsoft PCs For Profit is especially concerning in light of the NSS’ role in harassing journalists, activists, and civil society groups.  Imprisonment and torture remain common, as does corruption.[27]Uzbekistan is building a culture of Human Rights, but concerns about political prisoners, torture, forced labour and corruption remain experts of the Human Rights Committee say

Reporters without Borders reported some improvement in 2022, but Uzbekistan was still rated 133rd out of 180 countries.[28]Repoters without Borders : Uzbekistan  The one area in which there appears to have been some clear improvement is in the area of forced or child labor, which the International Labor Organization (ILO) reported as now being “insignificant”.[29]Uzbekistan has succeeded in abolishing forced labour

References
1 Enjoying good relations with a Muslim state: Uzbekistan and Israel
2 Enjoying good relations with a Muslim state: Uzbekistan and Israel
3 OEC World Report Bilateral Countries Israel-Uzbekistan
4 After UAE, Uzbekistan opening its doors to Israeli companies/
5 Uzbekistan and Israel are strengthening their relationship
6 Israeli company that makes water out of thin air signs deal with Uzbekistan
7 Uzbekistan and Israel relations, Maariv
8 Educational institutions of Uzbekistan and Israel to establish cooperation
9 Israel tightens ties with Uzbekistan
10 ISRAEL AND THE DRONE WARS
11 Russia to Buy Aeronautics Orbiter Mini-UAV Systems
12 Israel to expand AEW fleet for India
13 Israeli Companies Are Already Enjoying the Warming Relations with Uzbekistan
14 The Rapid Recovery of Israeli Weapons Industry and New-Promises
15 Hooking Candiru Another Mercenary Spyware Vendor Comes into Focus
16 Meet Candiru — The Mysterious Mercenaries Hacking Apple And Microsoft PCs For Profit
17 The results of the MRO Middle East 2022 in Dubai
18 The prospects for cooperation with the Israeli concern “Israel Aerospace Industries” were discussed
19 The prospects for cooperation with the Israeli concern “Israel Aerospace Industries” were discussed
20 HRW World Report : Uzbekistan 2010
21 Uzbekistan is building a culture of Human Rights, but concerns about political prisoners, torture, forced labour and corruption remain experts of the Human Rights Committee say
22 HRW World Report 2022 Uzbekistan
23 Amnesty Uzbekistan Report
24 UN rights chief calls for probe into deadly protest in Uzbekistan
25 Hooking Candiru Another Mercenary Spyware Vendor Comes into Focus
26 Forbes : Meet Candiru — The Mysterious Mercenaries Hacking Apple And Microsoft PCs For Profit
27 Uzbekistan is building a culture of Human Rights, but concerns about political prisoners, torture, forced labour and corruption remain experts of the Human Rights Committee say
28 Repoters without Borders : Uzbekistan
29 Uzbekistan has succeeded in abolishing forced labour