© Reuters
Boeing (NYSE:) Co. is hastening the delivery of approximately 1,800 Joint Attack Direct Munition (JDAM) kits to Israel in the wake of the Hamas attacks on October 7. The JDAM kits, which convert unguided bombs into precision munitions, are part of a $735 million Direct Commercial Sale from 2021. In addition to the JDAM kits, Boeing also expedited a shipment of 1,000 250-pound Small Diameter Bombs on an Israeli aircraft as part of the May 2021 sale.
The Pentagon confirmed these transfers, clarifying that they didn’t ship the kits on US military aircraft due to their direct sale nature. These deliveries are distinct from around 12,000 JDAM kits sold to Israel in 2012 and 2015.
The Israeli Air Force reported dropping 6,000 bombs on Hamas targets during the conflict’s initial five days. This information was shared via a post on a social media site.
However, this sale has not been without controversy. When initially announced by the Biden administration, it faced opposition due to ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza. Senator Bernie Sanders and some House members attempted to block it.
Senators may now seek further details from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about all munitions transfers to Israel. Meanwhile, a Boeing spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. The deliveries were discussed anonymously as they didn’t involve official Defense Department action.
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