The U.S. State Department announced that the United States has approved arms sales worth $20 billion to Israel, including dozens of advanced fighter jets and air-to-air missiles. Congress has been notified of the new deal, anticipated since April, amid concerns about Israel's involvement in a broader war in the Middle East. The package includes up to 50 F-15 fighter jets, up to 30 medium-range air-to-air missiles, tactical vehicles, and large quantities of explosive shells for tanks and mortars. The U.S. is considering new large-scale arms sales to Israel, ranging from fighter jets, air-to-air missiles, and guidance equipment, amidst rising calls to halt arms flows. However, the delivery of the weapons is not expected to occur immediately or even this year, with delivery dates ranging from 2026 to 2029. Earlier this year, several legislators, including Senator Chris Van Hollen from Maryland, planned to object to the sale.
**Comprehensive Defensive Capabilities**
A U.S. State Department official told CBS News that these items are aimed at maintaining and building up Israel's overall defensive capacity in the long term, with most elements of the deal delivered in batches over several years. The delivery of the F-15s, for example, manufactured by Boeing, will take at least ten years for complete delivery. The State Department stated regarding the deal that "the United States is committed to Israel's security, and it is crucial for U.S. national interests to assist Israel in developing and maintaining a strong and self-defense readiness. This deal is in line with these objectives."
**Fighter Jets and Arsenal Upgrades**
Israel requested to purchase 50 new multi-role F-15 IA fighter jets, in addition to a range of military equipment necessary for modifying and updating 25 of its multi-role F-15 I fighter jets, along with the provision of 120 F110-GE-129 engines. The deal also includes 320 medium-range air-to-air missile launchers (LAU-12) and associated equipment estimated at approximately $102.5 million, and 25 M61A Vulcan guns. The package included several modified M1148A1P2 vehicles from the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) and related equipment, estimated at approximately $583.1 million. Israel will receive a number of explosive 120mm mortars (M933A1) and related equipment estimated at about $61.1 million, along with 120mm tank shells and related equipment estimated at around $774.1 million.
The military equipment also comprises 90 advanced display processors of the second type, 75 APG-82(V)1 radars with active electronic scanning, as well as 50 AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN navigation units with pods, and 180 embedded inertial navigation systems coded M. The deal also includes cartridge-activated devices (CADs) and fuel-activated devices (PADs) in addition to military systems for joint helmet-mounted displays, and friend-or-foe identification systems APX-119 (IFF), as well as encryption applications (KIV-77 Mode 4/5 IFF), together with spare parts, consumables, and attachments.
As part of this deal, Washington will provide support services that include repair and return, major and minor modifications, maintenance, facility support, airlift support, added to training workshops for crew and all necessary equipment and support services from the U.S. government.
