U.S. Approves Major Arms Sale to Israel

Latest Developments

The Biden administration notified Congress on August 13 that it has approved a major arms sale to Israel worth more than $20 billion, including F-15IA and F-15I+ Aircraft, M933A1 120mm High Explosive Mortar Cartridges, 120mm tank cartridges, and Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles. A White House spokesperson said the sale “will support Israel’s long-term security by resupplying stocks of critical munitions and investing in long-term upgrades in capability.” U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on August 11 to reiterate “the United States’ commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel.” According to U.S. and Israeli officials, Gallant’s visit to Washington in June helped advance the purchase. However, scheduled deliveries of the materiel will begin only in 2026.

Expert Analysis

“The administration’s approval of these foreign military sales to Israel represents a belated but laudable step. These aircraft, vehicles, and munitions will not arrive for years, but the announcement itself has value at this moment. The announcement underscores America’s support for Israel as it confronts the prospect of a multi-front, complex assault from Tehran and its host of terror proxies. This announcement makes clear yet again that the United States is determined to provide Israel the means of self-defense both now and for as long as is necessary.”   — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power

“The majority of the value of the foreign military sales for Israel that the administration approved on August 13 is associated with expanding and modernizing Israel’s F-15 fleet. If this sale goes forward, it will significantly increase the capability and capacity of the Israeli Air Force. However, the delivery of that capability and capacity will not materialize for years.” —  Lydia LaFavor, FDD Research Fellow

Bolstering Israel’s Military Edge

The announcement of the sale comes as the prospects of an Iranian attack against Israel and war with Hezbollah loom. Even though the scheduled delivery of the weapons will not begin for at least two years, the sale signals political support for Israel as it faces a major potential attack by showing that Washington is committed to ensuring the Jewish state’s long-term security and qualitative military edge. “Incorporating F-15IAs into the Israel Air Force’s fleet of fighter aircraft will enhance Israel’s interoperability with U.S. systems and bolster Israel’s aerial capabilities to meet current and future enemy threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in an August 13 statement.

The United States is also surging significant combat power into the region, including an additional carrier strike group and a guided-missile submarine. The Pentagon stated that these increases in force posture are meant to increase U.S. force protection, defend Israel, and “deter aggression by Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and other Iran-aligned groups across the region.”

Congressional Backlash

The United States previously paused shipment of 2,000-pound bombs out of concern over their use in Israeli operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, one of Hamas’s last strongholds. The Biden administration has also pressured Israel to reach a ceasefire as part of a hostage release deal in Gaza without achieving the stated Israeli objective of destroying Hamas.

The latest sale follows increased congressional pressure on the Biden administration to resume and bolster arms shipments to Israel. On May 16, the House passed the Israeli Security Assistance Support Act, which would prevent the Biden administration from withholding arms to Israel. On May 9, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and 11 other Republican senators introduced a resolution condemning the Biden administration’s arms embargo and demanding that weapons shipments resume. Every Republican senator except Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) cosponsored the resolution.

Related Analysis

“U.S. Considering Major Military Package for Israel,” FDD Flash Brief

“How to Ensure Israel Has the Weapons It Needs,” by Bradley Bowman and Richard Goldberg

“U.S. Rushes Weapons to Israel — With More to Come,” FDD Flash Brief