US approves 10,000 precision kill weapon systems for Israel

The United States has approved an emergency foreign military sale to Israel of 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System rounds at an estimated total cost of USD 992.4 million, bypassing the standard congressional review process on national security grounds, according to a State Department notification published on 1 May 2026.

The Secretary of State determined that an emergency existed requiring the immediate sale, invoking the emergency waiver provision under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act to bypass the standard congressional review period.

The notification states the Secretary “has determined and provided detailed justification that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to Israel of the above defense articles and defense services is in the national security interests of the United States.”

The sale covers 10,000 APKWS-II All Up Rounds, a laser-guided rocket system that converts standard unguided 70mm Hydra rockets into precision-guided weapons. Also included are test support equipment, spare and repair parts, technical documentation, personnel training and contractor support services. The principal contractor is BAE Systems, based in Nashua, New Hampshire.

The U.S. State Department said the sale would “improve Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats” and would contribute to US foreign policy and national security by helping to improve the security of “a strategic regional partner that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.”

The use of the emergency waiver provision means Congress was not given the standard 30-day review period before the sale could proceed, a mechanism that has been used on several occasions for Israel-related arms sales since October 2023.