$20B US arms deal with Israel: Fighter jets, missiles and more amid Gaza turmoil
The F-15 aircraft, which will begin to be delivered in 2029, will upgrade Israel's current fleet (Reuters Photo)
The Biden administration has authorized a significant arms deal worth over $20 billion with Israel, as the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate. This package, which includes fighter jets, advanced air-to-air missiles, and tank ammunition, underscores the U.S.’ ongoing commitment to Israel’s defense capabilities.
What is included in US-Israel arms deal?
- 50 new F-15IA fighter jets.
- 25 upgrade kits for existing F-15I jets.
- 30 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM).
- 32,739 120mm tank cartridges, including High Explosive Multi-Purpose with Tracer (HEMP-T) and High Explosive Multi-Purpose Anti-Tank (MPAT) cartridges.
- 50,000 M933A1 120mm High Explosive mortar cartridges with M783 fuses.
- Tactical vehicles and related equipment.
The bulk of the package, valued at $18.82 billion, is for the fighter jets, which will begin to be delivered in 2029. The U.S. State Department emphasized the strategic importance of this sale, stating, “The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability.”
US arms trade during Gaza war
This arms deal comes as Israel is engaged in an intense conflict in Gaza, which began following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,198 Israelis, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliatory military offensive has led to the deaths of nearly 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, with the majority being civilians.
The ongoing conflict has prompted calls from human rights groups and some U.S. lawmakers to reduce or halt military support to Israel. Josh Paul, who resigned from the State Department last year in protest over U.S. policy on Gaza, expressed his concerns.
Authorizing billions of dollars in new arms transfers effectively provides Israel a carte blanche to continue its atrocities in Gaza and to escalate the conflict to Lebanon
Josh Paul
US sends arms as a deterrent to ‘regional threats’
While the arms sale has triggered a congressional notification period, significant opposition is unlikely.
- The U.S. government maintains that the sale is essential for Israel’s security and for maintaining regional stability. In the State Department’s notice on the F-15s, it was highlighted that the sale “will improve Israel’s capability to meet current and future enemy threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats.”
- However, critics argue that continued U.S. arms sales could further escalate the conflict and contribute to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- The Biden administration previously paused a specific shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel due to concerns over civilian casualties, but overall military support remains strong.
