US: Biden Administration Set To Approve $18 Billion F-15 Fighter Jet Sale To Israel

The sale of up to 50 American-manufactured F-15 fighter jets to Israel is nearing approval by the Biden administration, as reported by CNN, citing three people familiar with the matter.

The transaction, expected to exceed $18 billion, would constitute the largest US foreign military sale to Israel since the country engaged in conflict with Hamas on 7 October. Additionally, it is anticipated that Congress will soon be notified of a significant new sale of precision-guided munitions kits to Israel.

US-Israel $18 Billion F-15 Fighter Jet Sale

The ongoing military support provided to Israel is underlined by the recent sales of some of the US' most advanced weaponry, despite criticisms from Biden administration officials regarding Israel's actions in Gaza, which have resulted in the deaths of over 32,000 Palestinians since October, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Heated debates in Congress are expected to be sparked by this sale, particularly among members of the President's own party. Democratic lawmakers have been advocating for limiting military aid until Israel allows more humanitarian assistance into Gaza and takes further steps to protect civilians, following recent scrutiny of US weapons sales to Israel.

Since Hamas' attack on Israel in October, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis, more than 100 foreign military sales to Israel have been conducted by the US. An official familiar with the matter was quoted by CNN as saying that the majority of these sales have been below the threshold requiring notification to Congress.

However, an $18 billion sale of F-15 aircraft surpasses this threshold, necessitating congressional notification. According to sources familiar with the matter, the administration informally notified the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees of this sale in late January, as reported by CNN.

This informal notification allows lawmakers and congressional staff time to review the specifics and pose questions before a formal notification is sent by the State Department to all members of Congress.

The sale of 25 F-15s from Boeing Co. has been under review since the US received the formal request in January 2023, according to Reuters, citing a source. This sale, which could boost the number to as many as 50 F-15s, has been under consideration since long before Israel's six-month-old military campaign in Gaza.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, during his recent visit to Washington and discussions with US officials including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, emphasised the urgent need for expedited delivery of aircraft, according to Reuters.

President Biden is under pressure from various quarters, including foreign allies, human rights organisations, and some Congressional Democrats, to impose conditions on arms transfers to Israel, as concerns over Israel's military actions in Gaza, where health officials report significant civilian casualties, continue.

According to one US official, the earliest possible delivery date for the aircraft would be 2029, contingent upon immediate formal notification to Congress. Israel's motivation for bolstering its air force extends beyond its conflict with Hamas in Gaza to include preemptive measures against potential threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran, its regional adversary.

House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul gave the green light for the F-15 sale on 30 January, according to Reuters, quoting a committee aide, when the relevant congressional offices responsible for approving major arms transfers were notified.

"Administration-Congressional deliberations on the F-15 case have already occurred," Reuters quoted a source familiar with the matter as saying, but added that some of the four offices required to sign off on any arms transfers had yet to do so.

Congress is required by US law to be notified of major foreign military sales agreements, and is allowed to block such sales by passing a resolution of disapproval over human rights violations or other concerns, although no such resolution has ever passed and survived a presidential veto, as per media reports.

An informal review process allows the Democratic and Republican leaders of foreign affairs committees to vet such agreements before a formal notification is sent to Congress.