US approves $8 billion arms sale to Israel
The Biden administration has officially informed Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel, including munitions for fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery.
The deal, intended to bolster Israel’s long-term security, is expected to be one of the last major arms transactions with Israel during Biden’s presidency, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The arms package features AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles for defense against airborne threats like drones, along with 155mm artillery shells. It also includes Hellfire AGM-114 missiles for attack helicopters, small-diameter bombs, JDAM tail kits for precision munitions, 500-pound warheads, and bomb fuzes.
Delivery of the weapons is expected to span several years, with some munitions sourced from existing US stockpiles and others requiring new production. Congressional approval through the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committees will be necess.
The announcement comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies had accused Biden of imposing a “silent arms embargo” on Israel.
President Biden has resisted calls from some Democrats to condition arms sales to Israel on its management of the conflict and humanitarian issues in Gaza. Instead, a US official emphasized that the deal aims to “resupply critical munitions and strengthen air defense capabilities to ensure Israel’s long-term security.”
The official further stated that the US remains committed to equipping Israel with the resources needed to defend itself and counter threats from Iran and its allies.
