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The Biden administration has informally notified the U.S. Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms deal with Israel, which includes munitions for fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery shells.
According to Axios, the deal aims to support Israel’s long-term security by replenishing critical munitions and air defense capabilities.
Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that part of the deal can be supplied from current U.S. stocks, but most of the equipment will require a year or more to be delivered.
This package, if approved, would be the final arms deal under the Biden administration’s tenure. It still needs approval from both the House and Senate foreign relations committees before it can move forward.
The proposed arms package includes several key military assets for Israel, such as AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. These missiles are designed to help Israel’s fighter jets defend against airborne threats, including drones.
Additionally, the package contains 155mm artillery shells, Hellfire AGM-114 missiles for attack helicopters, small diameter bombs, and JDAM tail kits, which transform conventional bombs into precision-guided munitions.
The deal also includes 500-lb warheads and bomb fuzes. In recent months, the U.S. held up a shipment of 500-lb bombs but later delivered the weapons to Israel.
Sources say the State Department has informed Congress that the deal is meant to “support Israel’s long-term security by resupplying stocks of critical munitions and air defense capabilities.”
A U.S. official emphasized that the President has made it clear that Israel has a right to defend its citizens in accordance with international law and humanitarian standards.
“We will continue to provide the capabilities necessary for Israel’s defense,” the official stated, further reinforcing the commitment to Israel’s defense against threats, including from Iran and its proxy organizations.
The proposed arms deal comes amid growing concerns over regional security, with rising tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as ongoing challenges posed by various militant groups in the Middle East.
The U.S. has been a staunch ally of Israel for decades, providing military aid and weapons to bolster its defense capabilities.
The deal is also seen as part of a broader strategy to ensure Israel’s military superiority in the region, particularly as threats from Iranian-backed forces and other adversaries continue to evolve.
Israeli leaders have long argued that maintaining a strong defense capability is crucial for the country’s survival and stability in a volatile geopolitical landscape.
Once approved by Congress, the arms deal will contribute to the ongoing U.S.-Israel defense partnership. The U.S. has consistently supported Israel’s military needs, especially in light of growing tensions in the region.
This latest arms package is expected to strengthen the alliance further, ensuring that Israel remains equipped to address emerging threats.
As the approval process continues, many are watching closely to see if this will be the final defense deal between the Biden administration and Israel or if further arrangements will be made in the future.