The State Department announced Tuesday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had approved roughly $20 billion in arms sales to Israel.
The proposed sale includes up to 50 F-15s. Fighter 30 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles missile120mm Tank cartridgeHigh-Performance Mortar cartridge Medium Tactical vehicle, According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the agency notified Congress of the potential sale on Tuesday.
The potential sale would also include upgrade kits for 25 of Israel’s existing F-15 fighter jets. The sale of new fighter jets and related equipment would account for $18.82 billion of the proposed sales to Israel.
“The United States is committed to Israel’s security, and assisting Israel in developing and maintaining a strong and responsive self-defense capability is critical to U.S. national interests. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives,” the press release said.
“The proposed sale will improve Israel’s ability to meet the threats of current and future enemies, strengthen homeland defense, and act as a deterrent against regional threats. Israel will have no problem incorporating these goods and services into its armed forces,” the release continued.
The press release stated that the proposed sale “will not alter the fundamental military balance in the region.” Associated Press The weapons would not arrive in Israel anytime soon, he noted, adding that fulfilling the contract would likely take years.
The proposed sale comes as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise due to the war between Israel and the militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The United States and its partners Trying to limit escalation Tensions have been rising in the region since Iran blamed Israel for the apparent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.
