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Israel has signed a new $289 million contract with Boeing to acquire up to 5,000 advanced air-launched smart bombs, according to a source familiar with the agreement. The deal reflects continued military cooperation between Israel and the United States amid heightened regional tensions.
The contract involves Boeing’s Small Diameter Bomb, a precision-guided munition designed for high-accuracy strikes against distant targets. The weapons are typically launched from fighter aircraft and can hit targets located more than 40 miles, or about 64 kilometers, away.
According to Bloomberg News, deliveries under the new agreement are not expected to begin for approximately 36 months. The timeline indicates that the contract is not directly linked to the current US-Israeli military strikes targeting Iran.
Boeing declined to comment when contacted about the agreement. The company, however, has been a long-time supplier of advanced defense systems to Israel and maintains close ties with the US government through multiple defense programs.
The Small Diameter Bomb is designed to provide military aircraft with the ability to strike multiple targets during a single mission. Because of its relatively small size and precision guidance systems, aircraft can carry a larger number of these weapons compared to traditional bombs.
For Israel, the acquisition represents another step in strengthening its aerial strike capabilities. The Israeli Air Force already operates a range of advanced American-made aircraft capable of deploying such precision-guided munitions in complex combat environments.
The agreement also highlights the continuing strategic partnership between Washington and Tel Aviv in defense technology and arms sales. The United States has for decades been the largest supplier of military equipment to Israel.
Last year, Boeing secured another major deal involving Israel when the US Department of Defense awarded the company an $8.6 billion contract to produce and deliver F-15 fighter jets for the Israeli Air Force. The aircraft are expected to enhance Israel’s long-range strike and air superiority capabilities.
The F-15, one of the most widely used fighter jets in the world, has played a central role in Israel’s air operations for decades. Newer versions of the aircraft include advanced radar systems, improved weapons integration, and enhanced survivability features.
US arms sales to Israel are typically conducted through the Foreign Military Sales program, which allows allied countries to purchase American military equipment with government approval. These deals often involve extensive coordination between the Pentagon, the State Department, and US defense contractors.
In addition to traditional government-to-government sales, some weapons systems are also delivered through direct commercial agreements between defense companies and foreign governments.
The latest contract comes at a time when US military support for Israel remains under close scrutiny due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Washington has repeatedly emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself while maintaining its commitment to providing military assistance.
Reuters reported last week that the administration of US President Donald Trump used emergency authority to bypass Congress in order to accelerate the sale of more than 20,000 bombs to Israel. The package is estimated to be worth around $650 million.
The use of emergency powers allows the executive branch to fast-track arms sales when national security interests are considered urgent. Such decisions, however, can also draw criticism from lawmakers who argue that congressional oversight should remain part of the process.
Separately, a State Department official recently confirmed that Israel will purchase an additional $298 million worth of critical munitions through direct commercial sales.
Earlier this year, the State Department also approved more than $6.5 billion in potential military sales to Israel across three separate agreements. These packages include advanced weapons systems as well as Boeing’s Apache attack helicopters.
The Apache helicopters are widely regarded as among the most capable combat helicopters in the world, equipped with sophisticated targeting systems, anti-tank missiles, and heavy machine guns.
Together, these deals illustrate the depth of the defense relationship between the United States and Israel. American defense companies, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and others, play a major role in supplying Israel with advanced military equipment.
Defense analysts say that precision-guided weapons such as the Small Diameter Bomb are becoming increasingly important in modern warfare. Their accuracy allows militaries to strike targets with reduced collateral damage while maintaining operational effectiveness.
As regional tensions continue to evolve, the latest Boeing contract underscores how long-term procurement plans remain a key part of Israel’s military strategy. Even when deliveries take several years, such agreements help ensure that future capabilities are secured well in advance.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members