US Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved about $20 billion in possible weapons sales to Israel, the State Department announced Tuesday, The Hill reports.
The proposed sale includes up to 50 F-15 fighter jets as well as 30 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles,120 mm tank cartridges, high explosive mortar cartridges and medium tactical vehicles, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The agency notified Congress of the potential sales Tuesday.
The possible sales also include modification kits to Israel’s existing fleet of 25 F-15 fighter jets. The new fighter jet sales and their related equipment make up $18.82 billion of the proposed sales to Israel.
“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. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives,” the press release said.
“The proposed sale will improve Israel’s capability to meet current and future enemy threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces,” the release continued.
The press release said that the proposed sales “will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
