U.S. State Dept. announces $6.7 billion arms sale 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"
The U.S. administration of President Donald Trump has approved $6.67 billion in new arms sales to Israel, the State Department said late Friday. Also unveiled was an even higher allocation to Saudi Arabia of a $9 billion weapons package.
The State Department said none of the new sales would affect the military balance in the region and that all of them would “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 announcement of sales came as tensions rose in the Middle East over the possibility of U.S. military strikes on the Islamic Republic.
The announcement followed the State Department's notifying Congress of its approval of the sales.
The sales to Israel are split into four separate packages, including one for 30 Apache attack helicopters and related equipment and weapons, and another for 3,250 light tactical vehicles.
The Apache helicopters, which will be equipped with rocket launchers and advanced targeting gear, are the biggest part of the total package, coming to $3.8 billion, according to the State Department.
The light tactical vehicles, which will cost $1.98 billion, will be used to move personnel and logistics “to extend lines of communication” for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Under the deals, Israel will spend an additional $740 million on power packs for armored personnel carriers it has had in service since 2008, the State Department said. The remaining $150 million will be spent on a small but unreported number of light utility helicopters to complement similar equipment it already has, it said.