State approves billions in proposed weapon sales to Israel

By Tony Bertuca / August 13, 2024 at 3:47 PM

(Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect the fact that the State Department has approved the possible sales, not Congress.)

The State Department has approved a nearly $19 billion proposed foreign military sale of up to 50 F-15IA and F-15I+ aircraft to Israel, along with a host of other weapon systems, according to a recent Defense Security Cooperation Agency announcement.

“Incorporating F-15IAs into the Israel Air Force’s fleet of fighter aircraft will enhance Israel’s interoperability with U.S. systems and bolster Israel’s aerial capabilities to meet current and future enemy threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats,” DSCA said.

Boeing would be the prime contractor. The proposed sale must still be approved by Congress.

Other potential deals that Congress approved involving Israel today include an FMS for 32,739 120mm tank cartridges and related equipment for an estimated cost of $774 million, and another FMS for M1148A1P2 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles costing about $583 million.

Additionally, DSCA announced a potential $102.5 million FMS to Israel for up to 30 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles and a $61 million FMS for up to 50,000 M933A1 120mm high explosive mortar cartridges.

Meanwhile, Pentagon officials say they continue to monitor the Middle East for signs of a possible attack on Israel or U.S. forces by Iran or its proxies following the recent assassinations of top Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.

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