U.S. approves ammunition sale to Israel without going through Congress

The U.S. State Department approved this Friday a possible sale of ammunition to Israel for an estimated value of $151.8 million and determined that there is an “emergency” that allows exemption from the usual congressional review process.

The sale includes 12,000 BLU-110A/B general-purpose 1,000-pound bomb bodies, as well as engineering, logistics, and technical support services provided by the U.S. Government and contractors, according to an official notification from the State Department. Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined that an emergency exists that requires the immediate approval of the sale, which allows exemption from the usual legislative review process contemplated in the Arms Export Control Act. The approval comes amid the war between Israel and Iran, in which the United States also participates, following a military escalation in the region in recent weeks.

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Washington justified the sale by saying that it will contribute to its foreign policy and national security by reinforcing Israel’s defense capabilities against regional threats and supporting a strategic US partner in the Middle East. The State Department also indicated that some of the BLU-110A/B munitions will be transferred from existing U.S. inventories and that the main contractor for the operation will be Repkon USA, based in Texas. For his part, President Donald Trump assured this Friday that some of the main contractors for the Armed Forces of his country promised him that they will quadruple the production of high-end weaponry, a commitment that comes while doubts persist about the depth of Washington’s most advanced arsenal in the war against Iran. “They agreed to quadruple the production of ‘exquisite class’ weaponry, as we want to reach the maximum production levels as quickly as possible,” Trump wrote in a message on his social network Truth after holding what he called “an excellent meeting” with representatives of defense sector companies.