An Israeli ministerial committee has reportedly given clearance to procure new F-35 jets, KC-46 refuelling aircraft and munitions from the US.
Reuters reported citing an official as saying that the deal is expected to be valued at billions of dollars.
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The news agency quoted the official as stating: “A ministerial procurement committee has approved the purchase of a new F-35 squadron, four new refuelling planes, and a large quantity of munitions.”
The latest deal would be the first foreign military sale (FMS) to Israel under US President Joe Biden’s administration.
The Biden-Harris administration is currently reviewing arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
In a press briefing, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said: “Israel is, of course, an ally.
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By GlobalData“Israel is a country where we have an important strategic security relationship and our team is fully engaged, not at the head-of-state level quite yet, but very soon, but our team is fully engaged, having constant conversations at many levels with the Israelis.”
Last year, US Congress was notified about a potential sale of up to eight KC-46 refuelling aircraft to Israel for as much as $2.4bn.
In June 2016, the Israeli Air Force received the first F-35A Adir and declared its fleet operationally capable in December the following year.
Last year, the Israeli Air Force inaugurated the second F-35 squadron.
