US approves ‘emergency' restock of Israeli 1,000 lb bomb inventory

Seen in US Navy service, the Mk 83 BLU-110 bomb body that Israel is acquiring to replenish its stocks can be combined with the JDAM guidance kit to make a 1,000 lb precision-guided munition. (US Navy)

Israel is to urgently restock its inventory of 1,000 lb bombs, with the US approving the emergency sale of 12,000 Mk 83 BLU-110A/B general-purpose bomb bodies to the country.

The US Department of State announced its approval for the USD151.8 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) acquisition by Israel, with the bombs being both newbuild from Repkon USA in Texas and transferred from existing US stock.

“The Secretary of State has determined and provided detailed justification that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the Government of Israel of the above defense articles and defense services is in the national security interests of the United States, thereby waiving the Congressional review requirements under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended,” the State Department said.

“This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic regional partner that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the notification said. “The proposed sale will improve Israel's capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defence, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats,” it added.

The approvals includes US government and contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics and programme support.