(Institute for National Security Studies-Tel Aviv University) Ofer Shelah and Hadas Shabtai - Shortly after the war began in Gaza, the U.S. administration asked Congress to approve $14.25 billion in supplementary military aid for Israel. Approval has been delayed because President Biden has linked it to approval of $106 billion in aid for Ukraine. $4 billion is earmarked to replenish Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow rocket interceptors, and to increase Israel's inventory of interceptors. $801.4 million is for ammunition for the ground forces, together with $10 million for naval munitions and $38.6 million for air force munitions. $3.5 billion is a one-time doubling of the $3.3 billion "regular" annual aid budget, and can be used "for the procurement in Israel of defense articles and defense services." This is of great significance for the defense industries in Israel. $1.2 billion is earmarked for development of the Iron Beam laser system for defense against short-range, high-trajectory weapons, with an additional $150 million listed separately for internal U.S. reasons. $4.4 billion is to be used to replenish inventories stationed in Israel (mostly artillery and tank shells), which were depleted before Oct. 7 and sent to Ukraine. $150 million is to fund State Department expenses incurred as a result of the war, such as for the evacuation of U.S. citizens from the vicinity of the fighting.
2024-01-17 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive