
(DailyVantage.com) – The State Department approved the sale of roughly $20 billion in US weapons to Israel earlier this month, which includes as many as 50 F-15 fighters.
The anticipated sale of F-15s is estimated to cost over $18 billion and marks the largest weapons package purchase by Israel. The sale was approved by the State Department along with the purchase of medium-range air-to-air missiles, medium tactical vehicles, tank cartridges, and high-explosive mortar cartridges.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken notified Congress of the anticipated sale on August 13. Weapons sales to foreign countries must first gain the approval of Congress. Typically, the State Department informs Congress that it okayed the sale. Once Congress is notified, lawmakers have 30 days to overrule the State Department’s approval by passing a joint resolution.
The delivery of the weapons approved would not begin any time soon and are not expected to be used in the ongoing war in Gaza. The F-15s, for example, are not expected to be delivered to Israel until 2029. Despite that, the approved weapons sales will likely cause an uproar among the pro-Hamas faction of the Democratic Party already angry over the Biden administration’s support for Israel in the war against Hamas.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant thanked Secretary of State Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, saying in a post on X that the approved sale would advance the country’s “critical force buildup initiatives” that would help Israel develop and maintain its “qualitative military edge.”
The sale of F-15s, which is valued at $18.82 billion, includes related equipment such as mid-life update modification kits.
The State Department also approved the sale of 30 air-to-air advanced medium-range AIM-120C-8 missiles (AMRAAMs) and one guidance section valued at $102.5 million.
Israel will also purchase 32,739 tank cartridges for $774.1 million, and 50,000 mortar cartridges valued at $61.1 million.
The total estimated cost of the medium tactical vehicles is $583.1 million. However, the specific number of vehicles purchased was unclear.
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