Tel Aviv - UPI
Some $14 million in military equipment was stolen from the Israeli army in 2012, the military's technology and logistics directorate revealed. Figures for 2013 are expected to be even higher, Haaretz reported Sunday. The stolen equipment includes antitank missiles, thousands of bullets, fuel, weapons and weapons parts, the report said. A senior officer told the newspaper most of the thefts can be traced back to soldiers selling military equipment from bases. Criminals also take advantage of the remote locations of some bases and weapons depots. In an effort to curb theft, the army has installed special radar to monitor activities, the paper said. A 2011 State Comptroller's Report found no loss of equipment recorded by the technology and logistics directorate. However, in 2007 the directorate estimated some $52 million in equipment was stolen. A statement issued by the army's spokesman's office said: "The technology and logistics directorate and the entire Israeli army continue to wage an all-out war against losses and theft."