US (Washington Insider Magazine) —The United States has approved a $20 billion arms deal with Israel, which includes the sale of fighter jets and advanced weaponry, the State Department announced. Congress has been notified of the proposed sale, which features over 50 F-15 fighter jets, Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), tank ammunition, high-explosive mortars, and tactical vehicles. The deal aims to enhance Israel’s military capacity, although the delivery of these systems is not expected until at least 2026, with some components not arriving until 2029.
This arms sale comes at a time of heightened concern that Israel may become involved in broader conflicts in the Middle East. Despite the urgency of the geopolitical situation, the weapons are intended to boost Israel’s long-term defence capabilities.
“The United States remains committed to Israel’s security, and it is essential to U.S. national interests to help Israel maintain a robust self-defence system,”
the State Department stated in its release. The Biden administration has been balancing its support for Israel with growing pressure from U.S. lawmakers and citizens to pause military aid, particularly due to rising civilian casualties in Gaza. One delivery of 2,000-pound bombs has already been delayed due to Israel’s ongoing airstrikes in densely populated areas.
In addition to new F-15 jets, the agreement includes upgrade kits for Israel’s existing fleet, providing new engines and radars to modernize the aircraft. These upgrades and new planes make up the bulk of the $20 billion deal, with Boeing expected to handle production.
