Biden administration approves $3.4B helicopter deal to occupation state
Washington (QNN)- The US administration has approved selling the occupation state up to 18 CH-53K heavy-lift cargo helicopters in a deal estimated to be worth $3.4 billion, according to a notice released Friday.
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives,” the notice from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said
The deal would also include related equipment including up to 60 General Electric-made engines, up to 36 navigation systems, communication equipment, .50 caliber machine guns and more, as well as technical and logistical support.
The sale would help the Israeli Air Force’s “capability to transport armored vehicles, personnel and equipment to support distributed operations,” the notice said.
“Israel will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense,” it added.
Despite the approval by the State Department, the notification does not indicate that a contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded.
The notice kicks off a congressional review period in which lawmakers could vote to block the sale if they wanted.
