Boeing has begun delivering smart munitions to Israel as the country intensifies retaliation in the wake of Hamas’ large-scale surprise attack.
An Israeli Air Force transport aircraft recently flew with the 250-pound (113 kilogram) Small Diameter Bombs from the US to Israel, Bloomberg revealed citing a US official.
Israel bought 1,000 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) in 2021 for $735 million.
Precision Munition
The air-launched guided SDB can strike a target 40 miles (64 kilometers) away, providing “the means to precisely target terrorists in Gaza while minimizing civilian casualties,” Bloomberg quoted military analyst Brad Bowman.
It features a multipurpose penetrating blast-and-fragmentation warhead with a programmable fuze.
Moreover, its advanced anti-jam GPS-aided inertial navigation system helps it strike moving or stationary targets.
Bowman said the capability would be crucial as Hamas is holding over 100 hostages.
US Accelerates Arms Delivery
Meanwhile, the US has accelerated the supply of air defense systems and munitions sought by Israel with some of the munitions already enroute, ABC reported on Monday citing a US official.
Israel has sought “additional artillery rounds, interceptor missiles for the Iron Dome missile defense system, and precision guided munitions,” the outlet added.
“The bottom line is we are working as fast as possible to provide critically needed munitions of various types and other equipment,” Australia’s national broadcaster quoted a senior US defense official.
“We’re also contacting US industry to gain expedited shipment of pending orders for military equipment that otherwise may have been considered routine for movement.”
In addition, Washington has ordered to move warships and fighter jets closer to Israel in a show of support.
