Israeli Arms Deal with Congo's Presidential Guard Collapses Amid Payment Dispute

Israeli arms manufacturer EMTAN, based in Karmiel and controlled by businessman Reuven Zada, sold over $1.5 million worth of assault rifles, pistols, and ammunition to the Democratic Republic of Congo's Presidential Guard in 2023. However, the Congolese government failed to pay for a portion of the ammunition, citing defective products and non-compliant ammunition, some of which was returned to Israel at a significant logistical cost.

The dispute emerged in court documents related to a business conflict between EMTAN and SYN-RG-Ai, the company that brokered the deal. EMTAN has filed a lawsuit seeking 4.5 million shekels from SYN-RG-Ai for unpaid debts. SYN-RG-Ai is reportedly owned by retired Major General Roni Numa (39%), businessman Lt. Col. Avihai Stolero (39%), and Lt. Col. Avraham Cohen (22%), who serves as CEO.

SYN-RG-Ai, which presents itself as a technology company, became involved in the Congo project in 2022. EMTAN claims that despite its usual practice of requiring full upfront payment, it trusted SYN-RG-Ai's representatives, described as high-ranking reservist officers who appeared to be wealthy and influential.

Shipments, including hundreds of MZ-4 and MZ-15 assault rifles, MZ-10 machine guns, Ramon pistols, laser designators, telescopic sights, night vision systems, and millions of rounds of ammunition, were sent between June and November 2023. The invoices specified the recipient as the "Presidency of the Republic of Congo, Palais de la Nation, Kinshasa."

Despite the deliveries, the Congolese government did not make full payment. In December 2024, SYN-RG-Ai's CEO requested EMTAN's assistance in returning ammunition from a Presidential Guard base in Kibumango, Congo, to offset the debt, which SYN-RG-Ai claimed exceeded $1 million after they had paid approximately $490,000. SYN-RG-Ai stated that they have paid EMTAN over ten million dollars to date and intend to file a counterclaim for inflated prices, defective products, and other breaches of contract. They also suggested EMTAN's lawsuit is an attempt to harm one of SYN-RG-Ai's shareholders after his company won a major IDF rifle tender that EMTAN lost, and EMTAN's subsequent legal challenge to that tender was dismissed.