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Israel has requested to buy thousands of explosive guidance kits under a US$510 million US foreign military sale approved by the US State Department.
The sale includes as many as 3,845 KMU-558B/B Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kits for BLU-109 bomb body, 3,280 KMU-572 F/B JDAM guidance kits for MK 82 bomb body, engineering, logistics and technical support services.
The US Congress was notified of the possible foreign military sale by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 30 June.
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US 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 US DSCA said.
“The proposed sale will enhance Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to defend Israel’s borders, vital infrastructure and population centres.
“This proposed sale will increase the interoperability with US forces and conveys US commitment to Israel’s security and armed forces modernisation. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional US government or contractor representatives to Israel.
“There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”
Boeing is expected to be the principal contractor and part of the JDAM guidance kit requirement may be transferred from US government stock.
