Israel seeks OK to expand smart-bomb arsenal

[ErnstBlofeld]

Israel has requested U.S. permission to expand the military's arsenal of American-origin precise-guided munitions. Officials said the Israeli Defense Ministry has requested U.S. permission for the Joint Direct Attack Munition, manufactured by Boeing. They said the ministry was renewing a request approved by then-President George Bush in 2006 and suspended by President Barack Obama three years later.

"We badly need to increase our JDAMs to prepare for any sudden threats," an official said.

Officials said Obama withheld the U.S. approval of JDAMs for more than 14 months. In April 2010, the first shipment of JDAMs arrived in Israel under the current U.S. administration.

 

Edited September 23, 2010 by Rheo
snipped