military
Israel and USA sign armaments deal worth billions
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett during a special government session on Sunday. Photo: Nir Elias / Pool Reuters / AP / dpa
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In addition to helicopters, Israel has also ordered two tanker planes in the USA. In the case of a particular military conflict, these could be crucial.
According to its own statements, Israel has agreed on an arms deal worth billions with the United States. It has signed an agreement with the US government to purchase twelve Lockheed Martin CH-53K helicopters and two Boeing KC-46 tankers.
The value is estimated at around 2.7 billion euros. The Ministry of Defense announced on Friday that the first helicopters are expected in 2026.
According to a report in the New York Times, Israel recently asked the US to accelerate the delivery of tanker aircraft. These could be decisive for an attack on the nuclear facilities of the Israeli archenemy Iran, it said. However, the US has said it is unlikely that the first of the aircraft will be ready before the end of 2024.
The existence of the Jewish state is threatened by Iran. The current nuclear talks in Vienna are about restricting the Iranian nuclear program and lifting US sanctions against the Islamic Republic. This is to save the 2015 nuclear deal that is supposed to prevent the development of nuclear weapons in Iran. Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called on international negotiators in Vienna at the beginning of December to maintain a firm stance on Tehran.