The US State Department has approved the sale to Israel of thirteen 76mm Naval Guns and associated technical support.
The Government of Israel has requested a possible sale of thirteen 76mm naval guns. Also included are shipboard spares to support their operation and preventive maintenance; spares to support repairs; special tools needed for maintenance; holding and transportation fixtures; test equipment; technical manuals, other documentation, and publications; U.S. Government and the contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; site surveys of ships and maintenance facilities; installation, checkouts and testing of the systems on the boats; operations and maintenance training; and other related support services.
According to the agency:
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defence capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States 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 proposed sale will improve Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats in the defense of its borders and territorial waters. The naval guns will be installed on Israeli Navy SA’AR 4.5 and SA’AR 6 Missile Patrol Boats. One gun will be located at an Israeli Naval Training Center to be used for training maintenance personnel. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
The estimated cost is $440 million.
