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{{Short description|Bilateral security relations}} | |||
:''See ] for a general overview of bilateral relations between the two countries.'' | |||
{{for|a general overview of bilateral relations between the two countries|Israel–United States relations}} | |||
] | |||
] ] arrives in ], Israel, April 18, 2007.]] | |||
'''Israel-United States military relations''' have been extremely close,<ref>Gregory S. Mahler, ''Israel After Begin'', p. 45. SUNY Press, 1990. ISBN 079140367X</ref> reflecting both shared security interests in the unstable ] and the influence of a strong pro-] lobby in the ]. | |||
Military relations between ] and the ] have been extremely close,<ref>Gregory S. Mahler, ''Israel After Begin'', p. 45. SUNY Press, 1990. {{ISBN|0-7914-0367-X}}</ref> reflecting shared security interests in the ].<ref name="sent-NA">United States: External Affairs", in ''Jane's Sentinel: North America 2007''. Jane's Information Group, 2007.</ref><ref name="sent-EM">"Israel: External Affairs", in ''Jane's Sentinel: Eastern Mediterranean 2007''. Jane's Information Group, 2007.</ref> Israel is designated as a ] by the U.S. government. A major purchaser and user of U.S. military equipment, Israel is also involved in the joint development of military technology and it regularly engages in joint military exercises with United States and other forces.<ref name="sent-NA"/><ref name="sent-EM"/> The relationship has deepened gradually over time, though, as ] puts it, it was "not a simple linear process of growing cooperation, but rather a series of tendentious bargaining situations with different strategic and political components in each."<ref>Prof. Alan Dowty, foreword in Abraham Ben-Zvi, ''Lyndon B. Johnson and the Politics of Arms Sales to Israel: in the shadow of the hawk'', p. vii. Routledge, 2004. {{ISBN|0-7146-5580-5}}</ref> | |||
Until February 2022, the United States had provided Israel US$ 150 billion (non-inflation-adjusted) in bilateral assistance.<ref name="SharpAid2Isr">. Updated February 18, 2022</ref> In 1999, the US government signed a Memorandum of Understanding through which it committed to providing Israel with at least US$2.67 billion in ] annually, for the following ten years; in 2009, the annual amount was raised to US$3 billion; and in 2019, the amount was raised again, now standing at a minimum of US{{Nowrap|$3.8 billion}} that the US is committed to providing Israel each year.<ref name="SharpAid2Isr" /> | |||
Israel has been the largest annual recipient of direct economic and military assistance from the ] since 1976, and the largest total recipient since ]. <ref name="Mark">{{cite web|title=Israel:US Foreign Assistance|author=Clyde R. Mark, Foreign Affairs Defense and Trade Division|publisher=Congressional Research Service, The Library of Congress|date=26 April 2005|url=http://209.85.129.104/search?q=cache:7xVgexnWtJ4J:www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/IB85066.pdf}}</ref> A major purchaser and user of US military equipment, Israel is also involved in the joint development of military technology and regularly engages in joint military exercises involving United States and other friendly forces.<ref name="sent-NA">United States: External Affairs", in ''Jane's Sentinel: North America 2007''. Jane's Information Group, 2007.</ref><ref name="sent-EM">"Israel: External Affairs", in ''Jane's Sentinel: Eastern Mediterranean 2007''. Jane's Information Group, 2007.</ref> | |||
In addition, the only foreign military installations on Israeli soil are US bases, including an ] early missile warning radar station on Mt. Keren.<ref name="auto"> ''Time Magazine'', 30 May 2012.</ref> | |||
The relationship has deepened gradually over time, though, as Alan Dowty puts it, it was "not a simple linear process of growing cooperation, but rather a series of tendentious bargaining situations with different strategic and political components in each." <ref>Prof. Alan Dowty, foreword in Abraham Ben-Zvi, ''Lyndon B. Johnson and the Politics of Arms Sales to Israel: in the shadow of the hawk'', p. vii. Routledge, 2004. ISBN 0714655805</ref> | |||
==Overview== | == Overview == | ||
] in ]]] | |||
Following the Second World War, the “new postwar era witnessed an intensive involvement of the United States in the political and economic affairs of the ], in contrast to the hands-off attitude characteristic of the prewar period. "nder Truman the United States had to face and define its policy in all three sectors that provided the root causes of American interests in the region: the ] threat, the ], and ].”<ref>{{cite book | last=Lenczowski | first=George | author-link=George Lenczowski | year=1990 | title=American Presidents and the Middle East | publisher=] | isbn=0-8223-0972-6 | page= 6 }}</ref> | |||
During the first twenty years of Israel's existence, United States policy in the Middle East was driven by two major policy concerns: The prevention of an arms race in the Near East<ref name="FRU_9_14_62"></ref>, and the prevention of the spread of Soviet influence. Israel's main military patron at the time was France, which supported Israel by providing it with advanced military equipment and technology, such as the ] ] aircraft. Initially, the US government resisted pressure by Israel and Arab countries in the region to sell them advanced weapons. In response to the supply of advanced fighter aircraft by the ] to ] and the ], the US government agreed to sell ] anti-aircraft missiles to Israel in 1962, as a "specific action designed to meet specific situation" which "by no means constitutes change in US policy in area.". The Hawk system was perceived as "purely defensive", which is why it was approved. <ref name="FRU_9_14_62"/>. Later, as Jordan threatened to turn to the USSR for weapons, the US agreed to sell tanks and jet aircraft to Jordan, in order to prevent Soviet influence, and in return, agreed to sell similar system to Israel <ref></ref> | |||
During the first twenty years following ], United States ] was driven by two major policy concerns: The prevention of an arms race in the ],<ref name="FRU_9_14_62">{{cite web|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/FRUS9_14_62.html |title=U.S. Willing To Sell Hawk Missile System to Israel (September 1962) |publisher=Jewish Virtual Library |date=1962-09-14 |access-date=2016-09-18}}</ref> and the prevention of the spread of ] influence. The ] promulgated the ] for these reasons, as well as to guarantee the territorial ''status quo'' determined by ]. Israel's main military patron at the time was ], which supported Israel by providing it with advanced military equipment and technology, such as the ] ] aircraft. Initially, the U.S. government resisted pressure by Israel and ] countries in the region to sell them advanced weapons. In response to the supply of advanced fighter aircraft by the ] to ] and the ], the U.S. government agreed to sell ] anti-aircraft missiles to Israel in 1962, as a "specific action designed to meet a specific situation" which "by no means constitutes change in U.S. policy in the area.". The Hawk system was approved on the grounds that it was a "purely defensive" weapon.<ref name="FRU_9_14_62"/> Later, when ] threatened to turn to the ] for weapons, the U.S. agreed to sell tanks and jet aircraft to Jordan in order to prevent the spread of Soviet influence, and in return, agreed to sell similar systems to Israel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/arms4.html |title=U.S. Promises Arms Sale To Israel That Balances Sale to Jordan (March 1965) |publisher=Jewish Virtual Library |date=1965-03-11 |access-date=2016-09-18}}</ref> | |||
During the early 1960s, the U.S. government sought to establish a regional arms limitation agreement in the Middle East. The initiative lost steam in early 1965 after it was disclosed that the U.S. had been indirectly supplying weapons to Israel via ] since 1962, under the terms of a 1960 secret agreement to supply Israel with $80 million worth of armaments. The remainder of the agreement was fulfilled publicly, following its disclosure by the U.S., with Israel receiving shipments of ] tanks in 1965 and ] attack aircraft in 1968.<ref>Mitchell Geoffrey Bard, ''The Water's Edge and Beyond: defining the limits to domestic influence on U.S. Middle East policy''. Transaction Publishers, 1991. ISBN 088738286X</ref> | |||
During the early 1960s, the U.S. government sought to establish a regional arms limitation agreement in the Middle East. The initiative lost steam in early 1965 after it was disclosed that the U.S. had been indirectly supplying weapons to Israel via ] since 1962, under the terms of a 1960 secret agreement to supply Israel with $80 million worth of armaments. The remainder of the agreement was fulfilled publicly, following its disclosure by the U.S., with Israel receiving shipments of ] tanks in 1965 and ] attack aircraft in 1968.<ref>Mitchell Geoffrey Bard, ''The Water's Edge and Beyond: defining the limits to domestic influence on U.S. Middle East policy''. Transaction Publishers, 1991. {{ISBN|0-88738-286-X}}</ref> | |||
U.S. policy changed markedly after the ] of 1967, in response to a perception that many Arab states (notably Egypt) had permanently drifted toward the ]. In 1968, with strong support from ], U.S. President ] approved the sale of ] fighters to Israel, establishing the precedent for U.S. support for Israel's qualitative military edge over its neighbors. The U.S., however, would continue to supply arms to Israel's neighbors, particularly ], ] and ], in order to counter Soviet arms sales and influence in the region. | |||
] used by the ]. Israel leased 25 modified Kfirs to the United States from 1985 to 1989.]] | |||
], 1973: A ] unloads an ] at ].]] | |||
U.S. policy changed markedly after the ] of 1967, in response to a perception that many Arab states (notably Egypt) had permanently drifted toward the ]. In 1968, with strong support from ], U.S. President ] approved the sale of ] fighters to Israel, establishing the precedent for U.S. support for Israel's ] over its neighbors. The U.S., however, would continue to supply arms to Israel's neighbors, particularly ], ] and ], in order to counter Soviet arms sales and influence in the region.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} | |||
During the ] in 1973, the U.S. mounted a major airlift codenamed ] to deliver weapons and supplies to Israel. Over 22,000 tons of ]s, ], ], and other ] were delivered to aid the Israeli military in response to a large-scale Soviet resupply effort of the Arab states. The operation was paralleled by a large-scale sealift of some 33,000 tons of materiel and the transfer of 40 F-4 Phantoms, 36 A-4 Skyhawks and twelve ] transport aircraft to replace Israeli war losses.<ref>Simon Dunstan, ''The Yom Kippur War 1973: The Sinai'', p. 67. Osprey Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1841762210</ref> | |||
During the ] in 1973, the U.S. mounted a major airlift codenamed ] to deliver weapons and supplies to Israel. Over 22,000 tons of ]s, ], ], and other ] were delivered to aid the Israeli military in response to a large-scale Soviet resupply effort of the Arab states. The operation was paralleled by a large-scale sealift of some 33,000 tons of materiel and the transfer of 40 F-4 Phantoms, 36 A-4 Skyhawks and twelve ] transport aircraft to replace Israeli war losses.<ref>Simon Dunstan, ''The Yom Kippur War 1973: The Sinai'', p. 67. Osprey Publishing, 2003. {{ISBN|1-84176-221-0}}</ref> | |||
Bilateral military cooperation deepened under the ] administration in the 1980s. In 1981, U.S. ] ] and Israeli Minister of Defense ] signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), establishing a framework for continued consultation and cooperation to enhance the national security of both countries. In November 1983, the two sides formed a Joint Political Military Group, which still meets twice a year, to implement most provisions of the MOU.<ref name="hadar">Leon T. Hadar, ''Quagmire: America in the Middle East'', p. 75. Cato Institute, 1992. ISBN 0932790941</ref> Joint air and sea military exercises began in June of 1984, and the United States has constructed facilities to ] in Israel. | |||
Bilateral military cooperation deepened under the ] administration in the 1980s. In 1981, U.S. ] ] and Israeli Minister of Defense ] signed the ], establishing a framework for continued consultation and cooperation to enhance the national security of both countries. In November 1983, the two sides formed a ], which still meets twice a year, to implement most provisions of the MOU.<ref name="hadar">Leon T. Hadar, ''Quagmire: America in the Middle East'', p. 75. Cato Institute, 1992. {{ISBN|0-932790-94-1}}</ref> Joint air and sea military exercises began in June 1984, and the United States has constructed facilities to ] in Israel. | |||
In 1987, the United States granted Israel the status of ], enabling it to compete equally with NATO and other U.S. allies for contracts and purchase advanced U.S. weapons systems. Israel became the largest recipient of U.S. military aid in the world (see ] below).<ref name="sent-EM" /> In 1988, Reagan and Israeli Prime Minister ] signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize and perpetuate the work of the bilateral U.S.-Israel military, security and economic working groups.<ref name="hadar" /> | |||
] meeting with Israeli Defense Minister ] in the city of ], December 18, 2023]] | |||
In an effort to prevent Israel from retaliating against ]i ] missile attacks during the ] of ], and thereby breaking up the US-Arab coalition, the U.S. dispatched ] surface-to-air missile batteries to Israel. The effort met with very limited success, with less than 10% and perhaps as few as none of the Scuds fired against Israel intercepted successfully. <ref></ref> | |||
In 1987, the United States granted Israel the status of ], enabling it to compete equally with NATO and other US allies for contracts and purchase advanced US weapons systems. Israel became the largest recipient of ] in the world (see ] below).<ref name="sent-EM" /> In 1988, Reagan and Israeli Prime Minister ] signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize and perpetuate the work of the bilateral US-Israel military, security and economic working groups.<ref name="hadar" /> | |||
In an effort to prevent Israel from retaliating against ]i ] missile attacks during the ] of 1991, and thereby breaking up the US-Arab coalition, the US dispatched ] surface-to-air missile batteries to Israel. The effort met with very limited success, with less than 10% and perhaps as few as none of the Scuds fired against Israel intercepted successfully.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdi.org/issues/bmd/Patriot.html |title=The Patriot Missile. Performance in the Gulf War Reviewed|access-date=2007-05-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509023534/http://www.cdi.org/issues/bmd/Patriot.html |archive-date=2007-05-09 }}</ref> | |||
Under the ] administration in the 1990s, the U.S. government made efforts to bolster the Israeli government's military edge by allowing it to purchase $700m of the latest U.S. military equipment, including advanced fighters, attack helicopters and the ] system. A series of major joint military technology development projects was also instituted.<ref name="sent-NA" /> | |||
Under the ] administration in the 1990s, the US government made efforts to bolster the Israeli government's military edge by allowing it to purchase $700m of the latest U.S. military equipment, including advanced fighters, attack helicopters and the ] system. A series of major joint military technology development projects was also instituted.<ref name="sent-NA" /> | |||
Further extensive military cooperation took place under the ] administration, with Israel placing major orders for ] multirole fighters. During the ], the United States provided a major resupply of jet fuel and ] to replenish depleted Israeli stocks.<ref name="sent-NA" /> | Further extensive military cooperation took place under the ] administration, with Israel placing major orders for ] multirole fighters. During the ], the United States provided a major resupply of jet fuel and ] to replenish depleted Israeli stocks.<ref name="sent-NA" /> | ||
{{clear}} | |||
==Military aid== | |||
Israel has received more U.S. military assistance than any other country, both in terms of grant aid and military sales on a concessional basis. Since 1987, the U.S. has provided an average of $1.8 billion annually in the form of Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and funds to support research and development.<ref name="sent-NA" /> | |||
==Joint military activity== | |||
A bilateral memorandum of understanding was signed in January 2001, at the end of the Clinton administration, under which defense aid would be increased to $2.4 billion annually from $1.8 billion, an increase of $0.6 billion, while the $1.2 billion of economic aid would be eliminated. This was predicated on the basis of the defense aid being increased by $60 million per year until the full amount was reached in 2008, while the economic aid is decreased by $120 million per year until eliminated.<ref name="sent-EM" /><ref name=CRS>{{cite news|title=U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel - Report to Congress January 5, 2006|date=]|publisher=]|author=Jeremy M. Sharp|url=http://www.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33222_20060105.pdf}}</ref> | |||
] ] from a ] helicopter on the deck of the ].]] | |||
The United States and Israel cooperate closely in a number of areas of military activity. | |||
The U.S. underwrites some of Israel's research and development of weapons, and has contributed significant amounts of money to Israeli defense projects such as the ] main battle tank and the ] ground-attack aircraft. Israel is a participant in the ] fighter development program and was offered access to the ] program, though it turned this down due to the high costs.<ref name="sent-EM" /> | |||
The U.S. and Israel also cooperate jointly on a number of technology development programs, notably the ] system and the ] (also known as Nautilus).<ref name="sent-EM" /> | |||
The two countries carry out regular exercises together, including carrying out biennial exercises codenamed ] intended to test interoperability between the two militaries. In addition, the Israeli port of ] is the main port of call in the eastern Mediterranean for the ], and Israel provides other logistical and maintenance support for U.S. forces in the region.<ref name="sent-NA" /> The two countries also share intelligence and maintain a joint anti-terrorist working group,<ref name="sent-EM" /> and in April 2007 their air forces committed to share information about mutually relevant procurements.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1182409609556&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull| archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709132401/http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1182409609556&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull| url-status=dead| archive-date=July 9, 2012| title=IAF, USAF greatly upgrade cooperation| author=Yaakov Katz| publisher=]| date=June 22, 2007}}</ref> | |||
The United States has stored military equipment in Israel since the early 1990s and may store additional equipment in Israel when withdrawing from Iraq.<ref>{{cite news|last=Yaakov |first=By |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=168393 |title=US may give Israel Iraq ammo - Israel - Jerusalem Post |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post | Jpost.com |access-date=2016-09-18}}</ref> | |||
Currently the only active foreign military installations on Israeli soil are American bases, including an ] early missile warning radar station on Mt. Keren.<ref name="auto"/> | |||
'''War Reserves Stock Allies-Israel''' also known as '''War Reserve Stockpile Ammunition-Israel''' or simply '''WRSA-I''' was established in the 1990s and is maintained by the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/07/israel-hasnt-asked-for-access-to-us-arsenal-stored-in-israel/|title = Israel Hasn't Asked for Access to US Arsenal Stored in Israel|website = ]}}</ref> It is one of the United States' biggest War Reserves, located within Israel.<ref name="ibtimes.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/us-confirms-it-resupplied-israel-weapons-during-gaza-conflict-1459128|title=US Confirms it Resupplied Israel with Weapons During Gaza Conflict|first=Ewan|last=Palmer|date=31 July 2014}}</ref> Initially the WRSA-I stock had $100 million worth of reserves;<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 12, 2012 |title=U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel |url=https://journalistsresource.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Military-Aid-to-Israel.pdf |publisher=]}}</ref> however, prior to ] the WRSA-I had nearly $1 billion worth of reserves,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-military-ordered-continue-operation-gaza-us-approves-weapons-transfer-1643882|title=Israel Military Ordered To Continue Operation In Gaza; U.S. Approves Weapons Transfer|website=]|date=30 July 2014}}</ref> with an authorization to increase this to $1.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thehill.com/images/stories/blogs/flooraction/jan2012/crsisrael.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2020-05-04 |archive-date=2014-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825154732/http://thehill.com/images/stories/blogs/flooraction/jan2012/crsisrael.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2014 with the passing of the ], the US agreed to increase the stock to $1.8 billion.<ref> - Retrieved 11 December 2014</ref> | |||
The stock includes ammunition, smart bombs, missiles, military vehicles and a military hospital with 500 beds. These supplies are situated in six different locations throughout Israel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/01/08/open-only-in-case-of-an-emergenc.html#|title=If War Comes, Will US Open Its Military Depots In Israel?|date=21 August 2012}}</ref> If needed, Israel could request to access the WRSA-I stock, but it would need to be approved by the US congress.<ref></ref> During Operation Protective Edge, the US authorized Israel to access 120 mm mortar rounds and 40 mm grenade launcher ammunition.<ref name="ibtimes.co.uk"/> These munitions were part of a set of older items in the stock, and were due to be replaced soon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/07/us-supplies-israel-with-bombs-amid-gaza-blitz-2014730233016747143.html|title=US supplies Israel with bombs amid Gaza blitz|website=www.aljazeera.com}}</ref> | |||
In October 2012, the United States and Israel began their biggest joint air and missile defense exercise, known as ], involving around 3,500 U.S. troops in the region along with 1,000 IDF personnel.<ref>, ''Al Jazeera'' October 21, 2012</ref> Germany and Britain also participated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-10-15/u-dot-s-dot-israeli-military-exercise-sending-message-to-iran |title=U.S.-Israeli Military Exercise Sending Message to Iran - Businessweek |access-date=2014-10-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817063133/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-10-15/u-dot-s-dot-israeli-military-exercise-sending-message-to-iran |archive-date=2014-08-17 }}</ref> | |||
==Controversies== | |||
The close military relationship between the U.S. and Israel has engendered a number of controversies over the years. ]—the U.S. resupply effort during the ]—led to retaliation by the ], as ] members declared a complete oil embargo on the United States, provoking the ]. | |||
The United States stipulates that U.S. military equipment provided through the FMS program can be used only for internal security or defensive purposes. Consequently, after allegations were made that Israel had used ] for offensive purposes during the ], the United States suspended shipments of cluster bombs to Israel.<ref name=clydemark>{{cite web|title=Israel:US Foreign Assistance |author=Clyde R. Mark, Foreign Affairs Defense and Trade Division |publisher=], The Library of Congress |date=26 April 2005 |url=http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/IB85066.pdf }}</ref> Similar allegations were made regarding Israeli use of weapons supplied by the U.S. in the course of the ] and the Palestinian ]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-07-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150731092044/http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf |archive-date=2015-07-31 }}</ref> | |||
American use of its military aid for political pressure on Israel, as well as the economic and strategic restrictions attached to it, has made some Israelis question the value of American military aid. Israeli columnist ] has argued that Israel's interests may be best served by ending the military assistance, and urged her government to initiate a conversation on cutting back on the assistance package.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120731141238/http://www.carolineglick.com/e/2009/07/ |date=2012-07-31 }} Carolineglick.com, July 6, 2009. Originally published in the ''Jerusalem Post.''</ref> Former Israeli Defense Minister ] also opposes continued US aid, arguing that Israel no longer needs it. Several Israeli political parties, including ], oppose the aid and propose a gradual reduction in dependency on it. | |||
The Kirk-Menendez-Schumer bill would for the first time commit the United States to provide "diplomatic, military and economic" support for offensive actions by Israel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thebulletin.org/war-bill |title=The war bill |last1=Gusterson |first1=Hugh |date=15 January 2014 |website=thebulletin.org |publisher=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists |access-date=16 January 2014 |archive-date=16 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116235727/http://thebulletin.org/war-bill |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
In January 2014, it was reported that Israel and the United States had been quietly discussing the prospect of ending US aid, with representatives from both countries agreeing at bilateral meetings that Israel no longer needs US military aid. According to ], a former US ambassador to Israel, "we may be reaching a point that after discussion of how to assure the security and intelligence cooperation, we can actually phase out the security assistance".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldtribune.com/2014/01/09/arens-argues-u-s-military-aid-no-longer-serves-israels-interests/ |title=Arens argues U.S. Military aid no longer serves Israel's interests | World Tribune |access-date=2014-02-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214125239/http://www.worldtribune.com/2014/01/09/arens-argues-u-s-military-aid-no-longer-serves-israels-interests/ |archive-date=2014-02-14 }}</ref> | |||
Following the ], when the United States temporarily suspended arms shipments to Israel, Israel reportedly reassessed its views on US aid, particularly on the view that it could always depend on a US resupply during wartime, and initiated new weapons projects to reduce its dependence on US weapons in favor of locally-made ones.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldtribune.com/2014/10/20/israel-plans-reduce-arms-u-s/ |title=Israel to reduce arms production in U.S. After Obama's weapons suspension during Gaza War - World Tribune | World Tribune |access-date=2015-08-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729121906/http://www.worldtribune.com/2014/10/20/israel-plans-reduce-arms-u-s/ |archive-date=2015-07-29 }}</ref> | |||
In December 2023, Senator ] introduced a privileged resolution invoking Section 502(b) of the ],<ref>{{cite web | last1=Chappell | first1=John Ramming | last2=El-Tayyab | first2=Hassan | title=Senator Sanders' New Resolution Could Force U.S. to Confront Any Complicity in Civilian Harm in Gaza | website=Just Security | date=December 18, 2023 | url=https://www.justsecurity.org/90716/senator-sanders-new-resolution-could-force-u-s-to-confront-any-complicity-in-civilian-harm-in-gaza/ }}</ref> calling on the State Department to investigate ] in its conduct of the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Senate Rejects Israel Human Rights Measure, but Skepticism on Aid Persists |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/us/politics/senate-israel-aid.html |work=The New York Times |date=January 16, 2024}}</ref> The resolution would freeze ] unless the State Department issues a report within 30 days.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sanders to force vote on potentially freezing military aid to Israel |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4411339-sanders-freezing-military-aid-israel-vote/ |work=The Hill |date=January 16, 2024}}</ref> The proposal was defeated, 72 to 11.<ref>{{cite news |title=Senate Kills Measure to Scrutinize Israeli Human Rights Record as Condition for Aid |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/01/16/senate-israel-human-rights-condition-aid/ |work=The Intercept |date=January 16, 2024}}</ref> | |||
In May 2024, Israel used two U.S. made ] missiles during the ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stein |first1=Robin |last2=Triebert |first2=Christiaan |last3=Willis |first3=Haley |date=29 May 2024 |title=Israel Used U.S.-Made Bombs in Strike That Killed Dozens Near Rafah |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/29/world/middleeast/israel-us-rafah-bombs.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> In July 2024, the Biden administration resumed shipments of the ] to Israel, which were halted in May due to concerns about the high number of ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Holland |first1=Steve |title=US to resume shipping 500-pound bombs to Israel, US official says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-resume-shipping-500-pound-bombs-israel-us-official-says-2024-07-10/ |work=Reuters |date=11 July 2024}}</ref> | |||
== Military aid and procurement == | |||
]. Updated on October 12, 2023.</ref>]] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
In terms of total money received, ] is the largest cumulative recipient of ] from the ] since ],<ref name=jeremysharp2008> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150731092044/http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf |date=2015-07-31 }}. April 11, 2014. By Jeremy M. Sharp. ]. See appendix tables for yearly aid totals and breakdowns.</ref> followed by ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1194228/ |title=India biggest recipient of US economic assistance over 66-year period: USAID - Pakistan |date=14 July 2015 |publisher=Dawn.Com |access-date=2016-09-17}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=October 2023}} About three quarters of the aid is earmarked for purchases of military equipment from U.S. companies and the rest is spent on domestic equipment.<ref>{{cite web|title=CRS Report for Congress: U.S Foreign Aid to Israel|url=http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/attachments/CRS_AidToIsrael.pdf|publisher=]|access-date=15 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel - FAS Project on Government |url=https://sgp.fas.org/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf }}</ref> | |||
Since 1987, the U.S. has provided an average of $1.8 billion annually in the form of ] (FMS), ] (FMF) and funds to support research and development.<ref name="sent-NA" /> A bilateral memorandum of understanding was signed in January 2001, at the end of the Clinton administration, under which defense aid was increased to $2.4 billion annually from $1.8 billion, while the $1.2 billion of ] would be eliminated. This was predicated on the basis of the defense aid being increased by $60 million per year until the full amount was reached in 2008, while the economic aid is decreased by $120 million per year until eliminated.<ref name="sent-EM" /><ref name=CRS>{{cite news|title=U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel – Report to Congress January 5, 200F6|date=2006-01-05|publisher=]|author=Jeremy M. Sharp|url=http://www.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33222_20060105.pdf}}</ref> In 2007, the United States increased its military aid to Israel by over 25%, to an average of $3 billion per year for the following ten-year period (starting at $2.550 billion for 2008, growing by $150 million each year).<ref name="forbes_aid">Forbes (July 29, 2007).{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022125040/http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2007/07/29/afx3963706.html|date=October 22, 2007|title="Israeli PM announces 30 billion US dollar US defence aid"}}. Retrieved August 3, 2007.</ref> The package started in October 2008, when regular aid to Israel's economy ended.<ref name="nyt1">''New York Times'', August 17, 2007 . Retrieved Aug 17, 2007.</ref> Officials have insisted the aid is not tied, or meant to balance, simultaneous American plans to sell $20 billion worth of sophisticated arms to its Arab allies in the region, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia.<ref name="nyt1" /> Former U.S. President ] assured Israeli Prime Minister ] that the U.S. would help keep a "qualitative advantage" to Israel over other nations in the region.<ref name="forbes_aid" /> | |||
The United States is the largest single supplier of military equipment to Israel. According to the ], between 1998–2005 the U.S. accounted for the vast majority of Israel's arms transfer agreements, accounting for $9.1 billion out of $9.5 billion worth of agreements.<ref>'''', p. 62. Congressional Research Service, October 23, 2006.</ref> Israel deals directly with U.S. companies for the vast majority of its military purchases from the United States, though it requires permission from the U.S. government for specific purchases. Permission is not always automatic; for instance, in March 2000 it became known that the Israeli government had been refused permission to purchase ] missiles.<ref name="sent-EM" /> | |||
Israel has the world's largest F-16 fleet outside the ]. With the delivery of 102 F-16Is, scheduled through 2008, the ] will have a total F-16 inventory of 362, in addition to 106 F-15s.<ref>{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. ] press release. June 19, 2001.</ref> | |||
In December 2016, the United States delivered the first two F-35 “Adir” stealth fighter planes, a version of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, arrived to Israel, the first of its kind in the Middle East. In April 2017, the United States delivered an additional three to total five F-35 stealth fighters now operated under the Israeli Air Force <ref>.</ref> Israel was the first country outside of the United States to receive the F-35 and is expecting to receive a total of 50 over the coming years, achieving two full squadrons by 2022. This delivery is due to the strong partnership that the two countries had in the manufacturing of the fighter jet. Israeli technology, aerospace and defense companies played a pivotal role in the technological innovation giving the plane its immense capabilities. Eventually, Israel hopes to further accommodate its air force with the F-35B STOVL. Recent US Tomahawk strikes into Syria demonstrate that fixed airfields could easily be destroyed or temporarily be made unavailable. The F35B-model has both short take off and vertical landing capability, making it a strong threat in such a small region with constant warfare.<ref> | |||
{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}.</ref> | |||
In 2023, The State Department approved the sale of $320 million worth of guided bomb equipment to Israel.<ref></ref><ref></ref> In October 2023, President ] called on Congress to pass $14.3 billion in emergency military aid to Israel in its ].<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Shear |first1=Michael D. |last2=Demirjian |first2=Karoun |date=20 October 2023 |title=Biden Requests $105 Billion Aid Package for Israel, Ukraine and Other Crises |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/20/us/politics/biden-aid-israel-ukraine-taiwan-border.html }}</ref> On March 30, 2024, the Biden administration authorized $2.5 billion in weapons transfers to Israel.<ref>{{cite web |title=US approves bombs, jets for Israel amid threat of offensive in Gaza's Rafah |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/30/us-approves-bombs-jets-for-israel-amid-threat-of-offensive-in-gazas-rafah |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=6 April 2024}}</ref> On April 24, 2024, Biden signed a ] which included around $17 billion in military aid for Israel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Biden signs aid package with $17B for Israel, $1B extra humanitarian aid for Gazans |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/biden-signs-95-billion-war-aid-measure-with-relief-for-ukraine-israel-and-taiwan/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=24 April 2024}}</ref> In June 2024, the United States officially signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance, allowing Israel to ] 25 additional ] stealth fighter jets for $3 billion dollars.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fabian |first1=Emanuel |title=Israel inks deal to buy 25 more F-35 fighter jets for $3 billion |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-inks-deal-to-buy-25-more-f-35-fighter-jets-for-3-billion/ |website=The Times of Israel |date=4 June 2024}}</ref> | |||
On 9 August 2024, the Department of State said the United States would send Israel an additional $3.5 billion to spend on US-made weapons and military equipment.<ref>{{cite news |title=US to provide $3.5bn more in military aid to Israel amid war on Gaza |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/10/us-to-send-3-5bn-more-in-military-aid-to-israel-amid-war-on-gaza |work=Al Jazeera |date=10 August 2024}}</ref> On 13 August 2024, the Department of State announced that the U.S. had approved a $20 billion weapons package sale to Israel, which included fighter jets and advanced air-to-air missiles.<ref>{{cite news |title=Biden administration approves $20 billion in weapons, aircraft sales to Israel |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-approves-20-billion-weapons-sales-israel-hamas-backs-out-cease-fire-talks/ |work=CBS News |date=14 August 2024}}</ref> | |||
On Sunday, October 20, 2024, ] Speaker ] confirmed the release of classified documents detailing Israel's plans to attack ], describing the revelations as "deeply troubling". The documents pertain to the US Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the ]. They are reminiscent of the Pentagon Papers and are classified under the National Security Community classification system. These documents contained titles regarding Israel's preparations to attack Iran, as well as the supply of ammunition and drone operations. The disclosure of these documents reveals the direct involvement of the United States and its close allies in Israel's potential attack on Iran.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sabbagh |first1=Dan |last2=Luscombe |first2=Richard |title=US investigates leaked documents alleging Israel plans to attack Iran |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/20/leaked-documents-allege-israel-plans-attack-iran |website=the guardian}}</ref> | |||
=== Foreign military sales === | === Foreign military sales === | ||
]]] | ]]] | ||
''Note: This is not a comprehensive listing of U.S. military sales to Israel.'' | |||
{| |
{|class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |||
!Year | !Year | ||
!] | !] | ||
!] | !] | ||
!Total | |||
!TOTAL | |||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|2001 | ||
|$766,026,000 | |$766,026,000 | ||
|$4,019,000 | |$4,019,000 | ||
|$770,045,000 | |$770,045,000 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|2002 | ||
|$629,426,000 | |$629,426,000 | ||
|$1,427,000 | |$1,427,000 | ||
|$630,853,000 | |$630,853,000 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|2003 | ||
|$845,952,000 | |$845,952,000 | ||
|$16,455,000 | |$16,455,000 | ||
|$862,407,000 | |$862,407,000 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|2004 | ||
|$878,189,000 | |$878,189,000 | ||
|$418,883,000 | |$418,883,000 | ||
|$1,297,072,000 | |$1,297,072,000 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|2005 | ||
|$1,652,582,000 | |$1,652,582,000 | ||
|$1,110,223,000 | |$1,110,223,000 | ||
|$2,762,805,000 | |$2,762,805,000 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|2001–2005 | |||
|2001 - 2005 | |||
|$4,772,175,000 | |$4,772,175,000 | ||
|$1,551,007,000 | |$1,551,007,000 | ||
|$6,323,182,000 | |$6,323,182,000 | ||
|} | |} | ||
:*FMS |
:*FMS – Foreign Military Sales | ||
:*DCS |
:*DCS – Direct Commercial Sales | ||
:''Source: "Facts Book: Department of Defense, Security Assistance Agency," September 30, 2005.''<ref name="WPIUSIs">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/israel.lebanon.FINAL2.pdf|title=U.S. Military Assistance and Arms Transfers to Israel: U.S. Aid, Companies Fuel Israeli Military|access-date=2006-08-13|last=Berrigan|first=Frida|author2=William D. Hartung|date=2006-07-20|work=Arms Trade Resource Center Reports|publisher=World Policy Institute|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060814225820/http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/israel.lebanon.FINAL2.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=2006-08-14}}</ref> | |||
:''Source: "Facts Book: Department of Defense, Security Assistance Agency," September 30, 2005.''<ref name = "WPIUSIs">{{cite web | |||
| url = http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/israel.lebanon.FINAL2.pdf | |||
| title = U.S. Military Assistance and Arms Transfers to Israel: U.S. Aid, Companies Fuel Israeli Military | |||
| accessdate = 2006-08-13 | |||
| last = Berrigan | |||
| first = Frida | |||
| coauthors = William D. Hartung | |||
| date = ], ] | |||
| format = PDF | |||
| work = Arms Trade Resource Center Reports | |||
| publisher = ] | |||
}}</ref> | |||
=== Foreign military financing === | === Foreign military financing === | ||
''Note: This is not a comprehensive listing of US ESF and military aid to Israel.'' | |||
{|class="wikitable" | |||
'''Note: This is not a comprehensive listing of US ESF and military aid to Israel.''' | |||
|- | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
!Year | !Year | ||
!] | |||
!FMF | |||
!] | !] | ||
!Supplementals | !Supplementals | ||
!] | !] | ||
!Total | |||
!TOTAL | |||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|2001 | ||
|$1,975,644,000 | |$1,975,644,000 | ||
|$838,000,000 | |$838,000,000 | ||
Line 105: | Line 155: | ||
|$2,813,644,000 | |$2,813,644,000 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|2002 | ||
|$2,040,000,000 | |$2,040,000,000 | ||
|$720,000,000 | |$720,000,000 | ||
Line 112: | Line 162: | ||
|$2,788,000,000 | |$2,788,000,000 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|2003 | ||
|$2,086,350,000 | |$2,086,350,000 | ||
|$596,100,000 | |$596,100,000 | ||
Line 119: | Line 169: | ||
|$3,682,450,000 | |$3,682,450,000 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|2004 | ||
|$2,147,256,000 | |$2,147,256,000 | ||
|$477,168,000 | |$477,168,000 | ||
Line 126: | Line 176: | ||
|$2,624,424,000 | |$2,624,424,000 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|2005 | ||
|$2,202,240,000 | |$2,202,240,000 | ||
|$357,120,000 | |$357,120,000 | ||
Line 133: | Line 183: | ||
|$2,609,570,000 | |$2,609,570,000 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|2006 (estimated) | ||
|$2,257,200,000 | |$2,257,200,000 | ||
|$273,600,000 | |$273,600,000 | ||
Line 140: | Line 190: | ||
|$2,531,326,000 | |$2,531,326,000 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
|2007 (requested) | ||
|$2,340,000,000 | |$2,340,000,000 | ||
|$120,000,000 | |$120,000,000 | ||
Line 147: | Line 197: | ||
|$2,460,320,000 | |$2,460,320,000 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Total |
|Total 2001–2007 | ||
|$15,048,690,000 | |$15,048,690,000 | ||
|$3,381,988,000 | |$3,381,988,000 | ||
Line 153: | Line 203: | ||
|$29,056,000 | |$29,056,000 | ||
|$19,509,734,000 | |$19,509,734,000 | ||
|- | |||
|2012 (estimate)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/185014.pdf |title=Congressional Budget Justification : Volume 2 |website=State.gov |access-date=2016-09-18}}</ref> | |||
|$3,075,000,000 | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|$3,075,000,000 | |||
|} | |} | ||
:*FMF |
:*FMF – ] (direct military aid) | ||
:*ESF |
:*ESF – Economic Support Fund (open-ended monetary assistance that can be used to offset military spending and arms purchases, as well as for non-military purposes) | ||
:*Supplementals are special one-time grants meant as a complement to already allocated aid | :*Supplementals are special one-time grants meant as a complement to already allocated aid | ||
:*NADR-ATA |
:*NADR-ATA – Nonproliferation, Anti-Terrorism, Demining & Related Programs | ||
:''Source: "Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations," Fiscal Years |
:''Source: "Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations," Fiscal Years 2001–2007.''<ref name="WPIUSIs" /> | ||
=== United States military equipment in Israeli use === | |||
==Procurement== | |||
{{Further|Military equipment of Israel|Israeli Air Force|List of aircraft of the Israeli Air Force}} | |||
The United States is the largest single supplier of military equipment to Israel. According to the U.S. Congressional Research Service, between 1998-2005 the U.S. accounted for the vast majority of Israel's arms transfer agreements, accounting for $9.1 billion out of $9.5 billion worth of agreements.<ref>'''', p. 62. Congressional Research Service, October 23, 2006.</ref> | |||
This is not a comprehensive list. In addition to indigenously developed military equipment, Israel has made a number of procurements from the United States in recent years, including systems procured directly from US manufacturers and ex-US Forces equipment. The ] also makes use of US military systems not necessarily procured directly from the US. The list below includes US-made weapon systems paid for from funding provided by the US, by Israel alone, or by a combination of funding from both nations. All data is from ] ''Sentinel Eastern Mediterranean 2007''<ref name="sent-EM" /> unless otherwise stated. | |||
], developed in partnership with the United States]] | |||
Israel deals directly with U.S. companies for the vast majority of its military purchases from the United States, though it requires permission from the U.S. government for specific purchases. Permission is not always automatic; for instance, in March 2000 it became known that the Israeli government had been refused permission to purchase ] missiles.<ref name="sent-EM" /> | |||
{|class="wikitable" | |||
Israel has the world's largest F-16 fleet outside the ]. With the delivery of 102 F-16Is, scheduled through 2008, the ] will have a total F-16 inventory of 362, in addition to 89 F-15s. <ref>. ] press release. June 19, 2001.</ref> | |||
===U.S. military equipment in Israeli use=== | |||
This is not a comprehensive list. In addition to indigenously-developed military equipment, Israel has made a number of procurements from the United States in recent years, including systems procured directly from U.S. manufacturers and ex-U.S. Forces equipment. The ] also makes use of U.S. military systems not necessarily procured directly from the U.S. The list below includes U.S.-made weapon systems paid for from funding provided by the USA, by Israel alone, or by a combination of funding from both nations. All data is from ] ''Sentinel Eastern Mediterranean 2007'' <ref name="sent-EM" /> unless otherwise stated. | |||
], developed in partnership with the United States]] | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|- | |- | ||
! |
! Item | ||
! |
! Quantity | ||
! |
! Year<br />procured | ||
! |
! Origin | ||
|- | |- | ||
!colspan=4|] | !colspan=4|] | ||
Line 182: | Line 232: | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| 25 | | 25 | ||
| |
| 1993 | ||
| Ex-U.S. Air Force<ref>As a part of EDA programm. , see "The service at the Israeli Air force | |||
| Ex-U.S. Air Force | |||
- 25 new planes equip the IAF" section</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| 60 | | 60 | ||
| 1991–93 | |||
| 1991-93 | |||
| U.S. | | U.S. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| 50 | | 50 | ||
| 1991–93 | |||
| 1991-93 | |||
| Ex-U.S. Air Force<ref>As a part of EDA programm. , see "The service at the Israeli Air force | |||
| Ex-U.S. Air Force | |||
- A squadron is born" section</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| 25 | | 25 | ||
| From 1997 | | From 1997 | ||
| U.S. | | U.S. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| 102 | | 102 | ||
| From 2003 | | From 2003 | ||
| U.S. | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 5 | |||
| From 2016 | |||
| U.S. | | U.S. | ||
|- | |- | ||
!colspan=4|Transport planes | !colspan=4|Transport planes | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] E/H | ||
| 39 | | 39 | ||
| From 1974 | | From 1974 | ||
Line 235: | Line 292: | ||
| ?? | | ?? | ||
| U.S. | | U.S. | ||
|- | |||
|- | |- | ||
!colspan=4|] | !colspan=4|] | ||
Line 241: | Line 297: | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| 14 | | 14 | ||
| |
| 1996 | ||
| Ex-U.S. Army<ref>As a part of EDA programm. , see "The service at the Israeli Air force | |||
| Ex-U.S. Army | |||
- The IAF receives US Army surplus Cobras" section</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| 36 | | 36 | ||
| 1990–91 | |||
| 1990-91 | |||
| U.S. | | U.S. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 258: | Line 315: | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| 10 | | 10 | ||
| 1990–91 | |||
| 1990-91 | |||
| U.S. | | U.S. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 276: | Line 333: | ||
| Unknown | | Unknown | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ]A-50 | ||
| 15 | | 15 | ||
| 2002-03 | | 2002-03 | ||
Line 288: | Line 345: | ||
!colspan=4|Ground defense vehicles | !colspan=4|Ground defense vehicles | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| 6,000 | | 6,000 | ||
| ?? | | ?? | ||
| Unknown | | Unknown | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| |
| 1,000 | ||
| 1956–1971 | |||
| ?? | |||
| Ex. U.S. | |||
| Unknown | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | |||
!colspan=4|Small arms | |||
| 1,500 | |||
|- | |||
| 1965–1979 | |||
| ] | |||
| Ex. U.S. | |||
| 30,000 | |||
| 1995 | |||
| U.S. | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| ?? | |||
| ?? | |||
| Unknown | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| ?? | |||
| ?? | |||
| Unknown | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| ?? | |||
| ?? | |||
| Unknown | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| ?? | |||
| ?? | |||
| Unknown | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| ?? | |||
| ?? | |||
| Unknown | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| ?? | |||
| ?? | |||
| Unknown | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| ?? | |||
| ?? | |||
| Unknown | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| ?? | |||
| ?? | |||
| Unknown | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| ?? | |||
| ?? | |||
| Unknown | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| ?? | |||
| ?? | |||
| Unknown | |||
|- | |- | ||
!colspan=4|] | !colspan=4|] | ||
Line 370: | Line 375: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| 6,700 <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/iaf.htm "Israeli Air Force", globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2007-05-13.</ref> | | 6,700 <ref>, globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2007-05-13.</ref> | ||
| 1999–2004 | |||
| 1999-2004 | |||
| U.S. | | U.S. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| ?? | | ?? | ||
| ?? | | ?? | ||
Line 383: | Line 388: | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| 200 | | 200 | ||
| 1993–94 | |||
| 1993-94 | |||
| U.S. | | U.S. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 401: | Line 406: | ||
| Ex-U.S. Forces | | Ex-U.S. Forces | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] II | ||
| ?? | | ?? | ||
| Mid-1990s | | Mid-1990s | ||
Line 415: | Line 420: | ||
| ?? | | ?? | ||
| Unknown | | Unknown | ||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| U.S. | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
Line 433: | Line 443: | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| 200 | | 200 | ||
| 1993–94 | |||
| 1993-94 | |||
| U.S. | | U.S. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| ?? | | ?? | ||
| ?? | | ?? | ||
| Unknown | | Unknown | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ]-2A/B | ||
| ?? | | ?? | ||
| Mid-1990s | | Mid-1990s | ||
Line 447: | Line 457: | ||
|} | |} | ||
== |
=== Israeli military equipment in U.S. use === | ||
{{Further|Defense industry of Israel}} | |||
There are few statistics available about Israeli arms sales to the USA. The following weapons are known to be in use by the American military. | |||
* ] (Improved Tactical Air Launched Decoy) – device used to protect U.S. warplanes from enemy fire. | |||
* ] "Popeye" – a standoff ] with precision guidance | |||
* ] – A 120 mm ] developed by ]. | |||
* ] / ] – An ] or ] ] developed by ]. The SMAW is based on the Israeli B-300. | |||
* ] – A 120 mm "recoil ] system" using modern electronic navigation, self-positioning, and target acquisition. | |||
* ] – A sea skimming ].{{citation needed|date=March 2013}} | |||
* ] – A ] designed to breach through doors. A variant is currently in service with the ]. | |||
* ] – A precision targeting pod designed to increase combat effectiveness of aircraft. | |||
* ] – An ] ]. | |||
* ] – A ]. | |||
* ] – An all-weather ] formerly used by the US Navy for training purposes. | |||
* DASH III ] – The first modern Western HMD, upon which the ] was based. | |||
* ] submachine gun – compact ] primarily used by the ] ] and formerly the ]. | |||
===Arms embargoes on Israel=== | |||
{{see also|Arms embargoes on Israel}} | |||
In November 1947, while the United Nations was debating the partition of Palestine, the ] imposed an arms embargo on all sides in Palestine. Following Israel's establishment in May 1948, the Truman administration continued its arms embargo against Israel.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ruebner |first1=Josh |title=Kamala Harris must protect Palestinians with an arms embargo |url=https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4860513-harris-israel-weapons-embargo/ |agency=The Hill}}</ref> | |||
Kennedy ended the arms embargo that the Eisenhower and Truman administrations had enforced on Israel. Describing the protection of Israel as a moral and national commitment, he was the first to introduce the concept of a 'special relationship' (as he described it to ]) between the U.S. and Israel.<ref>{{cite book |title=Balancing Act: US Foreign Policy and the Arab-Israeli Conflict |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |author=Shannon, Vaughn P. |year=2003 |location=Aldershot |page=55 |isbn=0754635910}}</ref> | |||
Throughout 2009, the ] reported Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to conceal that Obama had imposed a virtual arms embargo on Israel. Obama blocked all major Israeli weapons requests, including key projects and upgrades, linking arms sales to progress in the peace process.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel's Netanyahu keeping mum about Obama's virtual arms embargo |url=http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2010/me_israel0104_02_10.asp |agency=Worldtribune.com |date=27 May 2011}}</ref> | |||
The United States and Israel cooperate closely in a number of areas of military activity. | |||
The U.S. underwrites Israel's research and development of weapons, contributing significant amounts of money to Israeli defense projects such as the ] main battle tank and the ] ground-attack aircraft. Israel is a participant in the ] fighter development program and was offered access to the ] program, though it turned this down due to the high costs.<ref name="sent-EM" /> | |||
Prior to October 7, 2023, concerns centered mainly around Israel's ], ], and evidence of ] by the Israeli military in the occupied territories. A 2020 poll by ], a liberal Jewish lobby group, found that 57 percent of American Jews want to limit military aid to Israel to ensure it cannot pay for annexation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Valdez |first1=Jonah |title=The number of Americans opposed to sending arms to Israel has grown, month after month, as the brutal war on Gaza grinds on. |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/09/10/polls-arms-embargo-israel-weapons-gaza/ |agency=The Intercept |date=10 September 2024}}</ref> A report by ] found the U.S. State Department had ignored reports about potential human rights violations by the Israeli army to continue weapons transfers to Israel.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Brett |title=Inside the State Department’s Weapons Pipeline to Israel |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/gaza-palestine-israel-blocked-humanitarian-aid-blinken |website=ProPublica |access-date=14 October 2024}}</ref> | |||
The U.S. and Israel also cooperate jointly on a number of technology development programs, notably the ] system and the ] (also known as Nautilus).<ref name="sent-EM" /> | |||
The two countries carry out regular exercises together, including carrying out biennial exercises codenamed JUNIPER COBRA intended to test interoperability between the two militaries. In addition, the Israeli port of ] is the main port of call in the eastern Mediterranean for the ], and Israel provides other logistical and maintenance support for U.S. forces in the region.<ref name="sent-NA" /> The two countries also share intelligence and maintain a joint anti-terrorist working group.<ref name="sent-EM" /> | |||
==Controversies== | |||
==See also== | |||
The close military relationship between the U.S. and Israel has engendered a number of controversies over the years. {{fact|date=May 2007}} ] — the U.S. resupply effort during the ] — was hugely controversial. {{fact|date=May 2007}} In retaliation, the Arab states declared a complete oil embargo on the United States, causing oil prices to skyrocket, fuel becoming scarce, and embroiling the United States in the ]. | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
==References== | |||
Israeli use of U.S.-provided military equipment in the ] resulted in controversy, exposing serious differences between Israeli and U.S. policies.{{fact|date=May 2007}} Similar controversies attended Israel's use of weapons supplied by the U.S. in the course of the Palestinian ] and ] as well as the ]. | |||
{{Reflist|30em}} | |||
{{Foreign relations of Israel}} | |||
== References == | |||
{{Foreign relations of the United States}} | |||
<div class="references-small"> | |||
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</div> | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Israel-United States military relations}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 00:35, 21 November 2024
Bilateral security relations For a general overview of bilateral relations between the two countries, see Israel–United States relations.Military relations between Israel and the United States have been extremely close, reflecting shared security interests in the Middle East. Israel is designated as a major non-NATO ally by the U.S. government. A major purchaser and user of U.S. military equipment, Israel is also involved in the joint development of military technology and it regularly engages in joint military exercises with United States and other forces. The relationship has deepened gradually over time, though, as Alan Dowty puts it, it was "not a simple linear process of growing cooperation, but rather a series of tendentious bargaining situations with different strategic and political components in each."
Until February 2022, the United States had provided Israel US$ 150 billion (non-inflation-adjusted) in bilateral assistance. In 1999, the US government signed a Memorandum of Understanding through which it committed to providing Israel with at least US$2.67 billion in military aid annually, for the following ten years; in 2009, the annual amount was raised to US$3 billion; and in 2019, the amount was raised again, now standing at a minimum of US$3.8 billion that the US is committed to providing Israel each year.
In addition, the only foreign military installations on Israeli soil are US bases, including an AN/TPY-2 early missile warning radar station on Mt. Keren.
Overview
Following the Second World War, the “new postwar era witnessed an intensive involvement of the United States in the political and economic affairs of the Middle East, in contrast to the hands-off attitude characteristic of the prewar period. "nder Truman the United States had to face and define its policy in all three sectors that provided the root causes of American interests in the region: the Soviet threat, the birth of Israel, and petroleum.”
During the first twenty years following Israel's independence, United States policy in the Middle East was driven by two major policy concerns: The prevention of an arms race in the Near East, and the prevention of the spread of Soviet influence. The Truman Administration promulgated the Tripartite Declaration of 1950 for these reasons, as well as to guarantee the territorial status quo determined by 1949 Armistice Agreements. Israel's main military patron at the time was France, which supported Israel by providing it with advanced military equipment and technology, such as the Dassault Mystère fighter-bomber aircraft. Initially, the U.S. government resisted pressure by Israel and Arab countries in the region to sell them advanced weapons. In response to the supply of advanced fighter aircraft by the USSR to Iraq and the United Arab Republic, the U.S. government agreed to sell MIM-23 Hawk anti-aircraft missiles to Israel in 1962, as a "specific action designed to meet a specific situation" which "by no means constitutes change in U.S. policy in the area.". The Hawk system was approved on the grounds that it was a "purely defensive" weapon. Later, when Jordan threatened to turn to the USSR for weapons, the U.S. agreed to sell tanks and jet aircraft to Jordan in order to prevent the spread of Soviet influence, and in return, agreed to sell similar systems to Israel.
During the early 1960s, the U.S. government sought to establish a regional arms limitation agreement in the Middle East. The initiative lost steam in early 1965 after it was disclosed that the U.S. had been indirectly supplying weapons to Israel via West Germany since 1962, under the terms of a 1960 secret agreement to supply Israel with $80 million worth of armaments. The remainder of the agreement was fulfilled publicly, following its disclosure by the U.S., with Israel receiving shipments of M48 Patton tanks in 1965 and A-4E Skyhawk attack aircraft in 1968.
U.S. policy changed markedly after the Six-Day War of 1967, in response to a perception that many Arab states (notably Egypt) had permanently drifted toward the Soviet Union. In 1968, with strong support from Congress, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson approved the sale of F-4 Phantom II fighters to Israel, establishing the precedent for U.S. support for Israel's qualitative military edge over its neighbors. The U.S., however, would continue to supply arms to Israel's neighbors, particularly Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, in order to counter Soviet arms sales and influence in the region.
During the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the U.S. mounted a major airlift codenamed Operation Nickel Grass to deliver weapons and supplies to Israel. Over 22,000 tons of tanks, artillery, ammunition, and other materiel were delivered to aid the Israeli military in response to a large-scale Soviet resupply effort of the Arab states. The operation was paralleled by a large-scale sealift of some 33,000 tons of materiel and the transfer of 40 F-4 Phantoms, 36 A-4 Skyhawks and twelve C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to replace Israeli war losses.
Bilateral military cooperation deepened under the Ronald Reagan administration in the 1980s. In 1981, U.S. Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and Israeli Minister of Defense Ariel Sharon signed the Strategic Cooperation Agreement, establishing a framework for continued consultation and cooperation to enhance the national security of both countries. In November 1983, the two sides formed a Joint Political Military Group, which still meets twice a year, to implement most provisions of the MOU. Joint air and sea military exercises began in June 1984, and the United States has constructed facilities to stockpile military equipment in Israel.
In 1987, the United States granted Israel the status of major non-NATO ally, enabling it to compete equally with NATO and other US allies for contracts and purchase advanced US weapons systems. Israel became the largest recipient of United States military aid in the world (see military aid and procurement below). In 1988, Reagan and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize and perpetuate the work of the bilateral US-Israel military, security and economic working groups.
In an effort to prevent Israel from retaliating against Iraqi SS-1 Scud missile attacks during the Persian Gulf war of 1991, and thereby breaking up the US-Arab coalition, the US dispatched MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile batteries to Israel. The effort met with very limited success, with less than 10% and perhaps as few as none of the Scuds fired against Israel intercepted successfully.
Under the Bill Clinton administration in the 1990s, the US government made efforts to bolster the Israeli government's military edge by allowing it to purchase $700m of the latest U.S. military equipment, including advanced fighters, attack helicopters and the Joint Direct Attack Munition system. A series of major joint military technology development projects was also instituted.
Further extensive military cooperation took place under the George W. Bush administration, with Israel placing major orders for F-16I multirole fighters. During the 2006 Lebanon War, the United States provided a major resupply of jet fuel and precision-guided munition to replenish depleted Israeli stocks.
Joint military activity
The United States and Israel cooperate closely in a number of areas of military activity. The U.S. underwrites some of Israel's research and development of weapons, and has contributed significant amounts of money to Israeli defense projects such as the Merkava main battle tank and the IAI Lavi ground-attack aircraft. Israel is a participant in the F-35 Lightning II fighter development program and was offered access to the F-22 Raptor program, though it turned this down due to the high costs.
The U.S. and Israel also cooperate jointly on a number of technology development programs, notably the Arrow missile system and the Tactical High Energy Laser (also known as Nautilus). The two countries carry out regular exercises together, including carrying out biennial exercises codenamed Juniper Cobra intended to test interoperability between the two militaries. In addition, the Israeli port of Haifa is the main port of call in the eastern Mediterranean for the United States Sixth Fleet, and Israel provides other logistical and maintenance support for U.S. forces in the region. The two countries also share intelligence and maintain a joint anti-terrorist working group, and in April 2007 their air forces committed to share information about mutually relevant procurements.
The United States has stored military equipment in Israel since the early 1990s and may store additional equipment in Israel when withdrawing from Iraq.
Currently the only active foreign military installations on Israeli soil are American bases, including an AN/TPY-2 early missile warning radar station on Mt. Keren.
War Reserves Stock Allies-Israel also known as War Reserve Stockpile Ammunition-Israel or simply WRSA-I was established in the 1990s and is maintained by the United States European Command. It is one of the United States' biggest War Reserves, located within Israel. Initially the WRSA-I stock had $100 million worth of reserves; however, prior to Operation Protective Edge the WRSA-I had nearly $1 billion worth of reserves, with an authorization to increase this to $1.2 billion. In 2014 with the passing of the 2014 United States—Israel Strategic Partnership Act, the US agreed to increase the stock to $1.8 billion.
The stock includes ammunition, smart bombs, missiles, military vehicles and a military hospital with 500 beds. These supplies are situated in six different locations throughout Israel. If needed, Israel could request to access the WRSA-I stock, but it would need to be approved by the US congress. During Operation Protective Edge, the US authorized Israel to access 120 mm mortar rounds and 40 mm grenade launcher ammunition. These munitions were part of a set of older items in the stock, and were due to be replaced soon.
In October 2012, the United States and Israel began their biggest joint air and missile defense exercise, known as Austere Challenge 12, involving around 3,500 U.S. troops in the region along with 1,000 IDF personnel. Germany and Britain also participated.
Controversies
The close military relationship between the U.S. and Israel has engendered a number of controversies over the years. Operation Nickel Grass—the U.S. resupply effort during the Yom Kippur War—led to retaliation by the Arab states, as OAPEC members declared a complete oil embargo on the United States, provoking the 1973 oil crisis.
The United States stipulates that U.S. military equipment provided through the FMS program can be used only for internal security or defensive purposes. Consequently, after allegations were made that Israel had used cluster bombs for offensive purposes during the 1982 Lebanon War, the United States suspended shipments of cluster bombs to Israel. Similar allegations were made regarding Israeli use of weapons supplied by the U.S. in the course of the 2006 Lebanon War and the Palestinian intifadas.
American use of its military aid for political pressure on Israel, as well as the economic and strategic restrictions attached to it, has made some Israelis question the value of American military aid. Israeli columnist Caroline Glick has argued that Israel's interests may be best served by ending the military assistance, and urged her government to initiate a conversation on cutting back on the assistance package. Former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Arens also opposes continued US aid, arguing that Israel no longer needs it. Several Israeli political parties, including National Union, oppose the aid and propose a gradual reduction in dependency on it.
The Kirk-Menendez-Schumer bill would for the first time commit the United States to provide "diplomatic, military and economic" support for offensive actions by Israel.
In January 2014, it was reported that Israel and the United States had been quietly discussing the prospect of ending US aid, with representatives from both countries agreeing at bilateral meetings that Israel no longer needs US military aid. According to Daniel C. Kurtzer, a former US ambassador to Israel, "we may be reaching a point that after discussion of how to assure the security and intelligence cooperation, we can actually phase out the security assistance".
Following the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict, when the United States temporarily suspended arms shipments to Israel, Israel reportedly reassessed its views on US aid, particularly on the view that it could always depend on a US resupply during wartime, and initiated new weapons projects to reduce its dependence on US weapons in favor of locally-made ones.
In December 2023, Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a privileged resolution invoking Section 502(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act, calling on the State Department to investigate Israeli crimes against humanity in its conduct of the war in Gaza. The resolution would freeze US military aid to Israel unless the State Department issues a report within 30 days. The proposal was defeated, 72 to 11.
In May 2024, Israel used two U.S. made GBU-39 missiles during the Tel al-Sultan massacre. In July 2024, the Biden administration resumed shipments of the 500-pound bombs to Israel, which were halted in May due to concerns about the high number of civilian casualties in Gaza.
Military aid and procurement
In terms of total money received, Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of military assistance from the United States since World War II, followed by Vietnam, Egypt, Afghanistan, and Turkey. About three quarters of the aid is earmarked for purchases of military equipment from U.S. companies and the rest is spent on domestic equipment.
Since 1987, the U.S. has provided an average of $1.8 billion annually in the form of Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and funds to support research and development. A bilateral memorandum of understanding was signed in January 2001, at the end of the Clinton administration, under which defense aid was increased to $2.4 billion annually from $1.8 billion, while the $1.2 billion of economic aid would be eliminated. This was predicated on the basis of the defense aid being increased by $60 million per year until the full amount was reached in 2008, while the economic aid is decreased by $120 million per year until eliminated. In 2007, the United States increased its military aid to Israel by over 25%, to an average of $3 billion per year for the following ten-year period (starting at $2.550 billion for 2008, growing by $150 million each year). The package started in October 2008, when regular aid to Israel's economy ended. Officials have insisted the aid is not tied, or meant to balance, simultaneous American plans to sell $20 billion worth of sophisticated arms to its Arab allies in the region, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Former U.S. President George W. Bush assured Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that the U.S. would help keep a "qualitative advantage" to Israel over other nations in the region.
The United States is the largest single supplier of military equipment to Israel. According to the U.S. Congressional Research Service, between 1998–2005 the U.S. accounted for the vast majority of Israel's arms transfer agreements, accounting for $9.1 billion out of $9.5 billion worth of agreements. Israel deals directly with U.S. companies for the vast majority of its military purchases from the United States, though it requires permission from the U.S. government for specific purchases. Permission is not always automatic; for instance, in March 2000 it became known that the Israeli government had been refused permission to purchase BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles.
Israel has the world's largest F-16 fleet outside the United States Air Force. With the delivery of 102 F-16Is, scheduled through 2008, the Israeli Air Force will have a total F-16 inventory of 362, in addition to 106 F-15s.
In December 2016, the United States delivered the first two F-35 “Adir” stealth fighter planes, a version of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, arrived to Israel, the first of its kind in the Middle East. In April 2017, the United States delivered an additional three to total five F-35 stealth fighters now operated under the Israeli Air Force Israel was the first country outside of the United States to receive the F-35 and is expecting to receive a total of 50 over the coming years, achieving two full squadrons by 2022. This delivery is due to the strong partnership that the two countries had in the manufacturing of the fighter jet. Israeli technology, aerospace and defense companies played a pivotal role in the technological innovation giving the plane its immense capabilities. Eventually, Israel hopes to further accommodate its air force with the F-35B STOVL. Recent US Tomahawk strikes into Syria demonstrate that fixed airfields could easily be destroyed or temporarily be made unavailable. The F35B-model has both short take off and vertical landing capability, making it a strong threat in such a small region with constant warfare.
In 2023, The State Department approved the sale of $320 million worth of guided bomb equipment to Israel. In October 2023, President Joe Biden called on Congress to pass $14.3 billion in emergency military aid to Israel in its war with Hamas. On March 30, 2024, the Biden administration authorized $2.5 billion in weapons transfers to Israel. On April 24, 2024, Biden signed a $95 billion security package which included around $17 billion in military aid for Israel. In June 2024, the United States officially signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance, allowing Israel to purchase 25 additional Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter jets for $3 billion dollars.
On 9 August 2024, the Department of State said the United States would send Israel an additional $3.5 billion to spend on US-made weapons and military equipment. On 13 August 2024, the Department of State announced that the U.S. had approved a $20 billion weapons package sale to Israel, which included fighter jets and advanced air-to-air missiles.
On Sunday, October 20, 2024, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed the release of classified documents detailing Israel's plans to attack Iran, describing the revelations as "deeply troubling". The documents pertain to the US Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. They are reminiscent of the Pentagon Papers and are classified under the National Security Community classification system. These documents contained titles regarding Israel's preparations to attack Iran, as well as the supply of ammunition and drone operations. The disclosure of these documents reveals the direct involvement of the United States and its close allies in Israel's potential attack on Iran.
Foreign military sales
Note: This is not a comprehensive listing of U.S. military sales to Israel.
Year | FMS | DCS | Total |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | $766,026,000 | $4,019,000 | $770,045,000 |
2002 | $629,426,000 | $1,427,000 | $630,853,000 |
2003 | $845,952,000 | $16,455,000 | $862,407,000 |
2004 | $878,189,000 | $418,883,000 | $1,297,072,000 |
2005 | $1,652,582,000 | $1,110,223,000 | $2,762,805,000 |
2001–2005 | $4,772,175,000 | $1,551,007,000 | $6,323,182,000 |
- FMS – Foreign Military Sales
- DCS – Direct Commercial Sales
- Source: "Facts Book: Department of Defense, Security Assistance Agency," September 30, 2005.
Foreign military financing
Note: This is not a comprehensive listing of US ESF and military aid to Israel.
Year | FMF | ESF | Supplementals | NADR-ATA | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | $1,975,644,000 | $838,000,000 | $2,813,644,000 | ||
2002 | $2,040,000,000 | $720,000,000 | $28,000,000 | $2,788,000,000 | |
2003 | $2,086,350,000 | $596,100,000 | $1,000,000,000 | $3,682,450,000 | |
2004 | $2,147,256,000 | $477,168,000 | $2,624,424,000 | ||
2005 | $2,202,240,000 | $357,120,000 | $50,000,000 | $210,000 | $2,609,570,000 |
2006 (estimated) | $2,257,200,000 | $273,600,000 | $526,000 | $2,531,326,000 | |
2007 (requested) | $2,340,000,000 | $120,000,000 | $320,000 | $2,460,320,000 | |
Total 2001–2007 | $15,048,690,000 | $3,381,988,000 | $1,050,000,000 | $29,056,000 | $19,509,734,000 |
2012 (estimate) | $3,075,000,000 | $3,075,000,000 |
- FMF – Foreign Military Financing (direct military aid)
- ESF – Economic Support Fund (open-ended monetary assistance that can be used to offset military spending and arms purchases, as well as for non-military purposes)
- Supplementals are special one-time grants meant as a complement to already allocated aid
- NADR-ATA – Nonproliferation, Anti-Terrorism, Demining & Related Programs
- Source: "Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations," Fiscal Years 2001–2007.
United States military equipment in Israeli use
Further information: Military equipment of Israel, Israeli Air Force, and List of aircraft of the Israeli Air ForceThis is not a comprehensive list. In addition to indigenously developed military equipment, Israel has made a number of procurements from the United States in recent years, including systems procured directly from US manufacturers and ex-US Forces equipment. The Israel Defense Forces also makes use of US military systems not necessarily procured directly from the US. The list below includes US-made weapon systems paid for from funding provided by the US, by Israel alone, or by a combination of funding from both nations. All data is from Jane's Sentinel Eastern Mediterranean 2007 unless otherwise stated.
Item | Quantity | Year procured |
Origin |
---|---|---|---|
Fighter aircraft | |||
F-15A Eagle | 25 | 1993 | Ex-U.S. Air Force |
F-16C/D Fighting Falcon | 60 | 1991–93 | U.S. |
F-16A/B Fighting Falcon | 50 | 1991–93 | Ex-U.S. Air Force |
F-15I Eagle | 25 | From 1997 | U.S. |
F-16I Fighting Falcon | 102 | From 2003 | U.S. |
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II | 5 | From 2016 | U.S. |
Transport planes | |||
C-130 Hercules E/H | 39 | From 1974 | U.S. |
Boeing KC-707 | ?? | 1973 | U.S. |
Gulfstream G550 | 5 | From 2003 | U.S. |
Utility aircraft | |||
Cessna 206 | ?? | ?? | Unknown |
Training aircraft | |||
Northrop Grumman TA-4 | ?? | ?? | U.S. |
Attack helicopters | |||
AH-1E HueyCobra | 14 | 1996 | Ex-U.S. Army |
AH-64 Apache | 36 | 1990–91 | U.S. |
AH-64D Apache | 9 | From 2004 | U.S. |
Utility, cargo, and support helicopter | |||
S-65/CH-53E Sea Stallion | 10 | 1990–91 | U.S. |
S-65/CH-53D Sea Stallion | 2 | 1994 | Ex-U.S. Air Force |
Bell 206 | ?? | ?? | Unknown |
Bell 212 | ?? | ?? | Unknown |
Sikorsky S-70A-50 | 15 | 2002-03 | U.S. |
S-70/UH-60A Black Hawk | 10 | 1994 | Ex-U.S. Army |
Ground defense vehicles | |||
M113 | 6,000 | ?? | Unknown |
M48 Patton tank | 1,000 | 1956–1971 | Ex. U.S. |
M60 Patton tank | 1,500 | 1965–1979 | Ex. U.S. |
Artillery | |||
M109 howitzer | ?? | ?? | Unknown |
M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System | 42 | From 1995 | U.S. |
Munitions | |||
Joint Direct Attack Munition | 6,700 | 1999–2004 | U.S. |
Mark 84 general-purpose bomb | ?? | ?? | U.S. |
Missiles | |||
FIM-92A Stinger | 200 | 1993–94 | U.S. |
MIM-104 Patriot | 32 | 1991 | U.S. |
MIM-72 Chaparral | 500 | On order | Ex-U.S. Forces |
M48A3 Self-Propelled Chaparral System | 36 | On order | Ex-U.S. Forces |
AGM-114 Hellfire II | ?? | Mid-1990s | U.S. |
AGM-62 Walleye | ?? | ?? | Unknown |
AGM-65 Maverick | ?? | ?? | Unknown |
AGM-78 Standard ARM | U.S. | ||
AGM-142D | 41 | On order | Joint Israel/U.S. |
AIM-120 AMRAAM | 64 | On order | U.S. |
AIM-7 Sparrow | ?? | ?? | Unknown |
AIM-9S Sidewinder | 200 | 1993–94 | U.S. |
AGM-84 Harpoon | ?? | ?? | Unknown |
BGM-71 TOW-2A/B | ?? | Mid-1990s | U.S. |
Israeli military equipment in U.S. use
Further information: Defense industry of IsraelThere are few statistics available about Israeli arms sales to the USA. The following weapons are known to be in use by the American military.
- ADM-141 TALD (Improved Tactical Air Launched Decoy) – device used to protect U.S. warplanes from enemy fire.
- AGM-142 Have Nap "Popeye" – a standoff air-to-surface missile with precision guidance
- M120 mortar – A 120 mm mortar developed by Soltam Systems.
- B-300 / Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW) – An anti-tank or bunker buster recoilless rifle developed by Israel Military Industries. The SMAW is based on the Israeli B-300.
- Cardom – A 120 mm "recoil mortar system" using modern electronic navigation, self-positioning, and target acquisition.
- Gabriel (missile) – A sea skimming anti-ship missile.
- SIMON breach grenade – A rifle grenade designed to breach through doors. A variant is currently in service with the United States army.
- LITENING targeting pod – A precision targeting pod designed to increase combat effectiveness of aircraft.
- International MaxxPro – An MRAP armored fighting vehicle.
- Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station – A remote weapon system.
- IAI Kfir – An all-weather multirole combat aircraft formerly used by the US Navy for training purposes.
- DASH III helmet-mounted display – The first modern Western HMD, upon which the JHMCS was based.
- Uzi submachine gun – compact submachine gun primarily used by the Zim Integrated Shipping Services merchant marine and formerly the United States Secret Service.
Arms embargoes on Israel
See also: Arms embargoes on IsraelIn November 1947, while the United Nations was debating the partition of Palestine, the Truman administration imposed an arms embargo on all sides in Palestine. Following Israel's establishment in May 1948, the Truman administration continued its arms embargo against Israel. Kennedy ended the arms embargo that the Eisenhower and Truman administrations had enforced on Israel. Describing the protection of Israel as a moral and national commitment, he was the first to introduce the concept of a 'special relationship' (as he described it to Golda Meir) between the U.S. and Israel.
Throughout 2009, the Jewish Institute for National Security of America reported Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to conceal that Obama had imposed a virtual arms embargo on Israel. Obama blocked all major Israeli weapons requests, including key projects and upgrades, linking arms sales to progress in the peace process.
Prior to October 7, 2023, concerns centered mainly around Israel's occupation of the West Bank, continued settlement expansion, and evidence of human rights abuses by the Israeli military in the occupied territories. A 2020 poll by J Street, a liberal Jewish lobby group, found that 57 percent of American Jews want to limit military aid to Israel to ensure it cannot pay for annexation. A report by ProPublica found the U.S. State Department had ignored reports about potential human rights violations by the Israeli army to continue weapons transfers to Israel.
See also
- Israel–United States relations
- Israel lobby in the United States
- United States foreign aid
- United States foreign policy in the Middle East
- United States security assistance to the Palestinian National Authority
- United States support for Israel in the Israel–Hamas war
- 2012 US–Israel military exercise
- Military history of Israel
References
- Gregory S. Mahler, Israel After Begin, p. 45. SUNY Press, 1990. ISBN 0-7914-0367-X
- ^ United States: External Affairs", in Jane's Sentinel: North America 2007. Jane's Information Group, 2007.
- ^ "Israel: External Affairs", in Jane's Sentinel: Eastern Mediterranean 2007. Jane's Information Group, 2007.
- Prof. Alan Dowty, foreword in Abraham Ben-Zvi, Lyndon B. Johnson and the Politics of Arms Sales to Israel: in the shadow of the hawk, p. vii. Routledge, 2004. ISBN 0-7146-5580-5
- ^ US Foreign Aid to Israel. Updated February 18, 2022
- ^ "How a U.S. Radar Station in the Negev Affects a Potential Israel-Iran Clash." Time Magazine, 30 May 2012.
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- ^ "U.S. Willing To Sell Hawk Missile System to Israel (September 1962)". Jewish Virtual Library. 1962-09-14. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
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