US Approves $20 Billion Arms Sale to Israel
The deals are pending congressional approval. Deliveries aren’t set to begin until 2026
F-15IA aircraft. Photo: Boeing
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved $20 billion in arms sales to Israel, including F-15 aircraft, advanced air-to-air missiles and tank cartridges. The deals are pending congressional approval.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), announced the following potential deals:
*Up to 50 F-15IA and F-15I+ aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $18.82 billion. The prime contractor will be The Boeing Corporation. Deliveries are estimated to begin in 2029.
*Thirty AIM-120C-8 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) and one AMRAAM guidance section (spare), plus related equipment for an estimated cost of $102.5 million. These items will be sourced from new production.
*Medium tactical vehicles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $583.1 million. The principal contractor will be the Oshkosh Corporation. Deliveries are estimated to begin in 2026.
*120mm high explosive mortar cartridges and related equipment for an estimated cost of $61.1 million. Israel has requested 50 thousand such cartridges. Deliveries are estimated to begin in 2026.
*120mm tank cartridges and related equipment for an estimated cost of $774.1 million. Israel requested to buy 32,739 such cartridges. Deliveries are estimated to begin in 2027.
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives,” DSCA said in its notification.
Congress now has 30 days to block the sales, by passing a resolution of disapproval. It is likely to go through but not without criticism and objections by lawmakers who are critical of the Biden administration’s policies regarding Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza, especially given humanitarian concerns.
The deals are pending congressional approval. Deliveries aren’t set to begin until 2026
F-15IA aircraft. Photo: Boeing
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved $20 billion in arms sales to Israel, including F-15 aircraft, advanced air-to-air missiles and tank cartridges. The deals are pending congressional approval.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), announced the following potential deals:
*Up to 50 F-15IA and F-15I+ aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $18.82 billion. The prime contractor will be The Boeing Corporation. Deliveries are estimated to begin in 2029.
*Thirty AIM-120C-8 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) and one AMRAAM guidance section (spare), plus related equipment for an estimated cost of $102.5 million. These items will be sourced from new production.
*Medium tactical vehicles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $583.1 million. The principal contractor will be the Oshkosh Corporation. Deliveries are estimated to begin in 2026.
*120mm high explosive mortar cartridges and related equipment for an estimated cost of $61.1 million. Israel has requested 50 thousand such cartridges. Deliveries are estimated to begin in 2026.
*120mm tank cartridges and related equipment for an estimated cost of $774.1 million. Israel requested to buy 32,739 such cartridges. Deliveries are estimated to begin in 2027.
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives,” DSCA said in its notification.
Congress now has 30 days to block the sales, by passing a resolution of disapproval. It is likely to go through but not without criticism and objections by lawmakers who are critical of the Biden administration’s policies regarding Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza, especially given humanitarian concerns.
