US agencies approve $510 million sale of bomb guidance kits to Israel
Defense Department says Israel to buy over 7,000 JDAM units after IDF expended significant stocks of munitions during recent war with Iran; Congress must still approve sale
The United States on Monday announced the approval of a $510 million sale to Israel of bomb guidance kits and related support, after Israel expended significant munitions in its recent conflict with Iran.
“The proposed sale will enhance Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to defend Israel’s borders, vital infrastructure, and population centers,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” it added.
The State Department approved the possible sale, and the DSCA has provided the required notification to the US Congress, which still needs to sign off on the transaction.
The DSCA announced that Israel requested to buy 3,845 of the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits for the 2,000-pound BLU-109 bunker buster bomb and 3,280 units of the JDAM kit for the 500-pound MK 82 general purpose bomb.
The JDAM kits in the sale are produced principally by Boeing, according to the DSCA.
Israel launched an unprecedented air campaign on June 13 targeting Iranian nuclear sites, scientists and top military brass in a bid to end the country’s nuclear program, which Tehran says is for civilian purposes but Washington and other powers insist is aimed at acquiring atomic weapons.
During the 12 day conflict, Israel’s Air Force struck some 900 targets — including 1,500 separate components — using some 4,300 munitions, after achieving aerial supremacy from western Iran to Tehran and beyond. Of the strikes, 370 were carried out by fighter jets, and the rest by drones.
The Times of Israel Community.