From Vandalism to Sabotage Against F-35: Pro-Palestinian Activists Smash Machines at Defense Plant

On New Year’s Eve, members of an “autonomous pro-Palestinian group” broke into the Bruntons Aero Products defense plant in Masselburgh, Scotland, and smashed servers and high-precision machines.

This is reported by the Scottish edition of The Herald.

Activists posted a video on social media showing masked people in black clothes smashing computers and other equipment at Bruntons Aero Products in the early hours of January 1.

The activists also spray-painted slogans such as “There’s only one way to end this” and “Drop Leonardo” on the walls and equipment of the building, located in the Inveresk Industrial Estate in Masselburg.

The group said Bruntons was targeted because of its role in supplying Leonardo, a major international arms manufacturer. Leonardo manufactures laser guidance systems used on F-35 fighter jets and also supplies Israel with other military equipment and weapons systems.

BREAKING: SCOTTISH ACTIVISTS TAKE DIRECT ACTION AGAINST EDINBURGH FIRM LINKED TO GENOCIDE

Only hours into 2026, an autonomous direct action group carried out a break-in at the Bruntons Aero Products factory in Inveresk Industrial Park, Musselburgh, on the outskirts of Edinburgh.… pic.twitter.com/dCwU40VGRA

— Hüseyin Dogru (@hussedogru) January 1, 2026

In addition, Palestinian activists organized demonstrations outside prisons on New Year’s Eve in solidarity with prisoners from the Palestine Action organization.

Eight members of the group are being held in five prisons in the UK for alleged involvement in the attack on the facility of the British subsidiary of the Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems in Bristol and the Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire.

According to police, the report of unknown persons entering the plant is still under investigation. It is worth noting that previous attacks on defense industry enterprises are usually limited to vandalism of building exteriors, but not in this case

“At around 00:35 on Thursday, January 1, 2026, officers received reports of a break-in and damage to the premises at Eskmills Road, Musselburgh,” said a Police Scotland spokesman.

According to the company’s website, Bruntons supplies specialized parts to suppliers such as BAE and Leonardo. Both companies are outraged by activists for their alleged ties to the Israeli army.

Bruntons Aero Products is a specialized manufacturer of aerospace components based in the United Kingdom. Bruntons serves key aerospace companies, including Airbus, Bombardier, Spirit, Leonardo, BAE Systems, Pilatus and PCC Aerostructures.

Bruntons is a leading supplier of control cables to the aviation industry as well as precision mechanical parts.