Biden admin set to greenlight $18 billion sale of up to 50 F-15 fighter jets to Israel

The Biden administration is close to approve the sale of up to 50 American-manufactured F-15 fighter jets to Israel, a deal likely worth over $18 billion.

According to a CNN report, citing three people familiar with the matter, the transaction, which would amount to the largest US foreign military sale to Israel since the country went to war with Hamas on 7 October, comes as the administration is also expected to notify Congress soon of a large new sale of precision-guided munitions kits to Israel.

The recent sales of some of the US’ most advanced weaponry underline the ongoing military support provided to Israel, 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.

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This sale is expected to spark heated debates in Congress, particularly among members of the President’s own party. Recent scrutiny of US weapons sales to Israel has led Democratic lawmakers to advocate for limiting military aid until Israel allows more humanitarian assistance into Gaza and takes further steps to protect civilians.

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

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

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

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

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. This pressure stems from concerns over Israel’s military actions in Gaza, where health officials report significant civilian casualties.

One US official indicated that 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, Reuters quoted a committee aide as saying, 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.

US law requires Congress to be notified of major foreign military sales agreements, and allows it 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.

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

With inputs from agencies