The United States government has authorized the possible sale of thousands of guidance kits to equip free-fall and bunker-busting bombs currently in service with the Israeli Air Force. This was revealed in one of the most recent notifications from the State Department to the U.S. Congress, seeking approval for the operation valued at USD 510 million, under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Following the apparent conclusion of Operation Rising Lion—during which Israel targeted key facilities of Iran’s nuclear program for over a week—and the current ceasefire reached after a U.S. airstrike using B-2 stealth bombers, the Israeli Air Force would need to replenish its stockpiles and ensure the availability of various types of guidance kits for MK 82 free-fall bombs, as well as for BLU-109s, which are used against bunkers and fortifications.
According to a release published on June 30 by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Israeli government requested to purchase a significant number of JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) guidance kits from the United States to equip different types of bombs used by the Israeli Air Force’s F-15, F-16, and F-35 fighter jets.
In total, the approved operation is valued at USD 510 million, with The Boeing Company listed as the primary contractor. It includes the provision of:
- 3,845 KMU-558B/B JDAM kits for BLU-109 bunker-busting bombs
- 3,280 KMU-572 F/B JDAM kits for MK 82 free-fall bombs
The State Department stated: “The proposed sale will enhance Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to defend its borders, vital infrastructure, and population centers. This sale will also increase interoperability with U.S. forces and demonstrates the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security and the modernization of its armed forces. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
Lastly, it should be noted that this recent approval is one of several granted in recent months in support of Israel, aimed at significantly boosting its Air Force’s supply of bombs, guided munitions, and guidance kits. This is evidenced by a deal published in early March, valued at over USD 2 billion, which included the delivery of more than 35,000 MK 82 and BLU-119 bombs. Previously, in February, another sale was authorized for thousands of GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb Increment 1 (SDB-I) and JDAM guidance kits, valued at over USD 6 billion.
*Photographs used for illustrative purposes only.
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