US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has given the green light for arms sales to Israel worth $20 billion, the country’s defense ministry announced.
According to the announcement of the Pentagon, Israel is planning to buy F-15 aircraft worth 19 billion dollars.
In addition, the Israeli authorities are buying tank ammunition worth $774 million, and military vehicles worth $583 million.
Ammunition for the tanks could come to Israel after the official completion of the sale, while authorities in Tel Aviv would have to wait for the completion of the production of the F-15 aircraft.
The package is one of the largest arms deals ever between the U.S. and Israel and includes a range of advanced fighter jets, missile defense systems, precision-guided munitions, and other cutting-edge military hardware. The deal is expected to significantly enhance Israel’s military capabilities, particularly in the context of rising tensions in the Middle East.
In a statement, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant welcomed the approval, emphasizing the importance of the U.S.-Israel alliance in ensuring regional security. “This historic agreement reaffirms the unbreakable bond between our two countries. The advanced systems included in this deal will greatly enhance our ability to defend against threats from all fronts,” Gallant said.
The U.S. State Department has also confirmed the approval, stating that the arms sale is in line with the U.S.‘s commitment to Israel’s security and maintaining its qualitative military edge in the region. “This arms deal reflects our unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself against all threats. It also underscores the strategic importance of our partnership in promoting stability in the Middle East,” Blinken said in a statement.
The approval of this arms deal comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, with Israel facing ongoing security challenges from hostile neighboring states and non-state actors. The new military equipment is expected to bolster Israel’s deterrence capabilities and provide a significant upgrade to its defense infrastructure.
The announcement has garnered mixed reactions internationally. While Israel’s allies in the region have welcomed the deal, others have expressed concern about the potential for increased militarization and its impact on peace efforts. Critics argue that the influx of advanced weaponry could further complicate the already volatile situation in the Middle East.
In the U.S., the arms sale is likely to spark debate, particularly among lawmakers who have voiced concerns about the humanitarian implications of such deals. However, supporters argue that the sale is crucial for maintaining Israel’s security and deterring potential aggressors in the region.
The arms deal is expected to be delivered over several years, with the first shipments of equipment scheduled to begin in early 2025. As Israel prepares to integrate these new systems into its defense strategy, the focus will likely remain on how this deal influences the broader geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East.
This arms sale comes at a time of intense diplomatic efforts by various countries, including the US, to stop the war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.
In the conflict that escalated again on October 7, 2023, 40,000 Palestinians and around 1,200 Israeli citizens were killed.
