This agreement is long-term. Part of the production and supply of ammunition can be carried out using reserves available in the United States.
The US State Department has “informally” informed Congress of a proposed $8 billion deal with Israel that would include ammunition for fighter jets and attack helicopters, as well as artillery shells. This was reported by Axios, citing informed sources.
This is likely to be the last Israeli arms sale approved by US President Joe Biden’s administration.
The deal comes amid claims by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his supporters that Biden has imposed a tacit “arms embargo” on Israel.
Some Democrats have pushed for the administration to condition arms sales to Israel on how Israel conducts its military operations and how it handles the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but Biden has refused to do so.
According to sources, this agreement is long-term. Some of the munitions production and supply can be made from existing US stockpiles, but most will take a year or more to arrive.
The arms sales, which must be approved by the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, include:
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AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles for fighter aircraft to defend against aerial threats, including drones;
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artillery shells;
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Hellfire AGM-114 missiles for attack helicopters;
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small diameter guided bomb, JDAM kit for converting unguided bombs to precision bombs, 500 lb warhead and bomb fuze.
The State Department told Congress that the agreement aims to “support Israel’s long-term security by resupplying critical munitions and air defense capabilities.”
“The President has made it clear that Israel has the right to protect its citizens in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law, and to deter aggression from Iran and its proxies. We will continue to provide the capabilities necessary to protect Israel,” the source told Axios.
Earlier, the media wrote that the United States will transfer missile defense systems to Israel, which are involved in protection against Iranian ballistic missiles.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.