Amid regional tensions, the US approves $20 billion worth of arms sales to Israel

The US has approved arms sales to Israel worth $20 billion, including numerous fighter jets and state-of-the-art air-to-air missiles, the US State Department said on Tuesday.

Congress was informed of the impending sale, which includes more than 50 F-15 fighter jets, advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs), 120mm tank ammunition, high-explosive mortars and tactical vehicles. The move comes at a time when there are deep fears that Israel could become embroiled in a major war in the Middle East.

However, the weapons are not expected to reach Israel any time soon, as the contracts will take years to fulfill. Much of the weapons sold are intended to help Israel increase its military capability in the long term. The first systems delivered under the contract are not expected until 2026.

“The United States is committed to Israel’s security, and it is critical to U.S. national interests to help Israel build and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the U.S. State Department said in a press release. “The proposed sale is consistent with these goals.”

The Biden administration must balance its continued support for Israel with a growing number of calls from lawmakers and the US public to end military support there due to the high civilian death toll in Gaza. It has halted a shipment of 2,000-pound weapons while Israel continues to carry out airstrikes on densely populated civilian areas in Gaza.

The contracts include not only the sale of 50 new aircraft from Boeing’s production, but also upgrade kits – new engines and radars, as well as other improvements – for Israel’s conversion of its existing fleet of two dozen F-15 fighter jets.

The jets account for the majority of the company’s $20 billion revenue; first deliveries are expected in 2029.