The U.S. government has authorized the potential sale of a significant armament package to equip the Israeli Air Force fighters, which includes thousands of general-purpose bombs and various types of JDAM guidance kits for these munitions. This is reflected in one of the latest notifications from the U.S. State Department to Congress for approval through the FMS program.
As reported in recent weeks, the Israeli government has requested from the U.S. the purchase of various arms packages, including thousands of general-purpose bombs, missiles, and associated equipment.
To provide a few examples, just last February, the U.S. State Department authorized arms sale packages worth US$ 6.75 billion and US$ 660 million, which included various types of bombs and Hellfire missiles, respectively. At the end of the same month, another package worth US$ 2.04 billion was announced, which included the provision of MK 84 and BLU-117 general-purpose bombs, or a combination of both.
The purpose of this armament is to replenish and sustain various stocks of materials used by the Israeli Air Force fighters, such as those used in ground-attack operations by the F-15I Ra’am, F-16I Sufa, and F-35I Adir combat aircraft for the bombs and guided munitions, and by AH-64A/D Apache attack helicopters for the missiles.
Recently, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on February 28 the approval from the U.S. State Department for the sale of another armament package to Israel, valued at US$ 675.7 million. This package includes hundreds of general-purpose bombs and JDAM family guidance kits. In detail, the notification mentions:
General-purpose bombs:
- 201 × MK 83 MOD 4/MOD 5 (1,000 lbs)
- 4,799 × BLU-110A/B (1,000 lbs)
JDAM guidance kits:
- 1,500 × KMU-559C/B (for MK 83)
- 3,500 × KMU-559J/B (for MK 83)
Additionally, the package, with Boeing and Repkon USA as the primary suppliers, includes “… engineering, logistics, and technical support services from the U.S. Government and contractors.”
The State Department stated: “The United States is committed to Israel’s security, and it is of vital national interest to support Israel in developing and maintaining a strong, ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.”
Adding: “The sale will enhance Israel’s ability to address current and future threats, strengthen its national defense, and serve as a deterrent against regional threats. Israel already possesses these weapons in its inventory and will have no difficulty integrating this equipment into its armed forces.”
*Photographs used for illustrative purposes.
