US Set to Approve Rp44.5 Trillion Weapons Package to Israel, Including 40,000 One-Ton Bombs
The United States federal government is reportedly on track to approve a weapons sale package worth US$2.8 billion (approximately Rp44.5 trillion) to Israel. This sale, which includes 40,000 one-ton bombs, represents one of the largest ammunition packages sold in recent years.
According to a report by The Washington Post, the weapons package, funded by US taxpayers, contains some of the most destructive munitions in the Western arsenal. The details of the ammunition include 20,000 MK-84 bombs, 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, and 20,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads.
Citing a US official, The New York Times reported that the administration of US President Donald Trump has approved this large-scale weapons sale plan. When confirmed, a senior administration official told AFP that “all foreign arms sales proceed through the appropriate process,” but declined to provide further comment regarding the ongoing transaction.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the US Department of State expressed a similar stance regarding the formal mechanism of military sales. “As a matter of policy, the Department does not confirm or comment on proposed arms sales until they are officially notified to Congress,” the US State Department spokesperson told AFP.
This proposed deal emerges amidst a crisis and shortage of ammunition experienced by the US military itself. US ammunition stocks are depleting rapidly due to the war with Iran, where the US is recorded to have spent approximately US$22.3 billion specifically on ammunition between 28 February and 30 June.
Previously, in February 2025, the Trump administration approved the sale of bombs, missiles, and related equipment worth more than US$7.4 billion to Israel, which also included MK-84 type ammunition.
The sale of this high-explosive ammunition marks a different policy direction from previous periods. In response to concerns over the high civilian death toll in Gaza, the administration of former US President Joe Biden had temporarily blocked the shipment of 2,000-pound (one-ton) bombs to Israel. However, the Trump administration reauthorised the shipment of these heavy munitions shortly after officially taking office in early 2025.