Axios: Over 70,000 weapons supplied by the U.S. to Israel in seven decades

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's arms transfer database served as the basis for this comprehensive overview, highlighting the extensive military aid relationship between the two nations.

Israel stands as the largest recipient of U.S. military aid, with the assistance primarily taking the form of arms. Elias Youssef, an expert on U.S. arms transfers at the Stimson Center think tank, emphasized that the longstanding goal of U.S. aid has been to establish Israel as its closest ally in the region, ensuring qualitative military superiority over neighboring nations.

This aid has become an integral part of Israel's defense mechanism, constituting approximately 16% of its defense budget.

Despite U.S. military aid, Israel has also developed its defense industry over the years. Youssef notes that American weapons likely play a significant role in Israel's current military operations, particularly in conflicts such as the ongoing situation in Gaza.

In 2023 alone, the United States has supplied Israel with at least 16 types of weapons, including missiles and aircraft.

While specific details regarding these weapons have not been disclosed publicly, some members of Congress have called for greater transparency on this matter.

The report points out that the recent transfer of weapons is part of an ongoing deal worth $402 million.

The Rafael weapons company, based in the U.S., is set to transfer these weapons to its Israeli counterpart, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which will work in collaboration with the Israeli Defense Ministry for the assembly, testing, support, and other technological procedures associated with these weapons.

The extensive arms transfers underscore the enduring military partnership between the United States and Israel, with military aid playing a pivotal role in shaping Israel's defense capabilities over the decades.