U.S. approves more than $6.5B in possible military sales to Israel

The U.S. State Department has approved potential foreign military sales to Israel worth about $6.52 billion, the Pentagon said on Friday.

The largest portion of the package is a possible $3.8 billion sale of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related equipment, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Boeing and Lockheed Martin would serve as the principal contractors.

Separately, Washington approved a possible $1.98 billion sale of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and associated equipment, with AM General named as the main contractor.

The agency said the proposed sales would improve Israel’s ability to address current and future threats by enhancing the mobility and operational capability of its ground forces.

The State Department also cleared a potential $740 million sale of power packs for Namer armoured personnel carriers, excluding transmissions, along with integrated logistics support and related equipment. Rolls-Royce Solutions America would be the principal contractor.

The approvals come as the U.S. continues to face criticism for supplying weapons to Israel during its war in Gaza, where more than 71,600 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since 7 October 2023.

Several U.S. lawmakers, including Bernie Sanders, have repeatedly called on the administration to halt arms transfers to Israel, arguing Washington should not be complicit in the war.

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