Pentagon approves JDAM kits for Israel's 'smart bomb' arsenal

http://www.geostrategy-direct.com/geostrategy-direct/secure/2013/04_24/me.asp

 

Pentagon approves JDAM kits for Israel's 'smart bomb' arsenal

WASHINGTON — Israel has ordered advanced air munitions from the United States.

The U.S. Defense Department has awarded a $65.8 million contract to Boeing for thousands of munitions tail kits for Israel. Under the contract, Israel would receive 2,701 Lot 17 Joint Direct Attack Munition tail kits.

"This effort is 100 percent FMS [Foreign Military Sales] for Israel," the Pentagon said.

In a statement on April 12, the Pentagon said the contract would take place at Boeing's facility in St. Louis, Mo. Officials said the contract, overseen by the U.S. Air Force, would be completed by April 2015.

The announcement reflected one of the few disclosures of U.S. sales of offensive weapons to Israel under the administration of President Barack Obama.

Officials said the Israel Air Force has sought to replenish its JDAM arsenal in wake of the war with the Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip in November 2012.