As per a notice from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, U.S., the Biden administration has approved selling Israel up to 18 CH-53K heavy-lift cargo helicopters in a deal estimated to be worth $3.4 billion.
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defence capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives,” the notice read.
It said that the deal would also include related equipment including up to 60 General Electric-made engines, up to 36 navigation systems, communication equipment, .50 calibre machine guns and more, as well as technical and logistical support.
The notice also said that the sale would help the Israeli Air Force’s “capability to transport armoured vehicles, personnel and equipment to support distributed operations.”
“Israel will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defence,” it added.
Despite the approval by the State Department, the notification does not indicate that a contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded.
The congressional review period in which lawmakers could vote to block the sale if they wanted, begins with the notice.
It is pertinent to mention that Biden Administration has seen a significant divide on the issue of U.S. support to Israel with the Progressive Democrats demanding an end to the support, for it uses the defence for Human Rights violations in Palestine.