The US government has approved a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Israel for Caterpillar D9 bulldozers and related equipment, with an estimated cost of $295 million.
The sale, which includes D9R and D9T models alongside spare parts, maintenance support, and logistics services, has been authorised under an emergency determination by the Secretary of State, bypassing the usual Congressional review process.
In a statement, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed that the request includes “spare and repair parts; corrosion protection; publications and technical documentation; pre-delivery inspections; U.S. Government and contractor support; technical and logistics support services; storage; and other related elements of logistics and program support.” Deliveries are expected to commence in 2027.
The emergency authorisation, granted under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, reflects Washington’s support of Israel’s defence capabilities. The State Department justified the decision by stating that “an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the Government of Israel of the above defence articles and defence services in the national security interests of the United States.”
The DSCA underscored that the deal aligns with US strategic objectives in the region, stating: “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-defense capability.”
The sale, they claim, is expected to enhance Israel’s ability to secure its borders, protect infrastructure, and defend its population centres.
The agency also added that “the proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.” The bulldozers, known for their use in military engineering and combat support roles, will be incorporated into the Israeli Ground Forces with “no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
Caterpillar Inc., based in Irving, Texas, will serve as the principal contractor for the deal. The DSCA stated that it is “not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale,” though such terms may be negotiated separately.
The US government has also confirmed that the sale will not require “the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Israel,” nor will it impact America’s own defence readiness.
While the full breakdown of costs remains subject to final agreements, the DSCA clarified that “the description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.”
Ah yes, Emergency bulldozers for Israel but definitely no urgency for Ukraine
Since 1948 the US has provided $130 billion in bilateral assistance to Israel who is a major non-NATO Ally under US law. Ukraine, which is not any type of US ally, has been receiving US aid since 2014 totaling $200 billion. Since February 2022 Ukraine is the single largest recipient of US foreign aid.
But why allow facts intrude into your fantasy anti-American world.
And i’m guessing siding with Russia is also a hoax and a figment of my imagination
How much of that ‘aid’ actually left the US and wasn’t used buying new weapons while the old ones were supplied to Ukraine?
The highest non MAGA estimate for Aid I could find puts US aid at around $117 billion and that includes lots of weaponry near its use by date valued at replacement cost. I.E. you are spouting your usual lies.
Ah indeed ‘But why allow facts to intrude into Daniel Morgan’s fantasy American lackey world’.
By the way according to the Council for Foreign Relations it’s $310+ Billion aid to Israel since 1948 as of mid 2024. The military part of that of course ($230 to $240 billion) rarely includes old unwanted equipment the US would need to get rid of anyway as its replaced with new stuff.
The USA provided security guarantees to Ukraine with regard to its sovereign in the Budapest Memorandum. Or should the US not to be trusted with regard to any international agreements and treaties it signs?
So yes… and no… The USA has 19 (20 if you include Taiwan) legal Major Non-Nato Allies. That doesn’t mean that Ukraine is not an ally, just not a MNNA. I think if we look at aid given and significant concern/care/diplomacy/policy relations etc. It would be fair to conclude that Israel is probably the closest of those MNNAs… Kenya, Morocco, Qatar, Argentina are not receiving nearly as much in aid or international support.
‘Ally-ship’ is difficult to define as geopolitical and domestic politics often collide and most individual bi-lateral relations have been overtaken by large global organizations (The EU and NATO for example). Ukraine and the USA have an enduring charter, a trading relationship (including dedicated partnerships and treaties) and – more recently – a significant military aid relationship; they also continue to maintain reciprocal Embassies. To say they are not allies is at best an oversimplification.
There is a very good piece on the BBC (1 Mar 25) looking at the figures in detail; lots of smoke and mirrors, very much depending on your preference/confirmation bias but my understanding is that most impartial media (including Reuters and the Kiel institute) are supporting the $119B figure; with upwards of 80% of this being spent in the US.
… but why allow nuance to intrude into your fantasy
Well said NDG I would expect that South Korea and Japan to be a little taken aback that not being part of NATO thus precludes them from any expectation of defensive support. And of course had the US not persuaded Ukraine to give up its third largest stockpile of nukes in exchange for supposed US and UK defence guarantees it’s highly unlikely that Ukraine would have needed those defense guarantees that they thought they had in exchange of course.
Spy, cheers! The Nuke agreement is perhaps the most interesting aspect of this, and I am surprised that the free press are not making more of a fuss about it. Especially on the back of the circus in the Oval Office last week.
Interesting times!
There’s a lot of Bulldozing going on since Trump took office.
Lots of bulldozing will be needed for Trump’s Gaza plan
Delivery fits in nicely with Trump’s ‘Gaza Riviera’ plans, I guess…
Since when is bulldozer a foreign military sale
Can’t they just buy straight from cat
Bulldozers are an important part of military operations especially to Israel who have used them for decades to level Palestinian dwellings even before actual military incursions. It’s a prime tactic they use to try to dissuade Palestinians from any form of violent activity even on occasion when simply defending themselves against the attacks of settlers. I’m assuming that Trump as he has given green lights to Russia to doing appealing things (if a Kremlin insider is to be believed even attack Britain under unspecified circumstances) I would guess that eventually his idea will be to give the Israelis free reign to level everything and force the Palestinians into forced expulsion.
Whole place needs bulldozing.
I find the usage of Bulldozers for military use interesting, while other companies like Pearson Engineering and Rheinmetall have dedicated armured vehicles for combat engineering, this a unique approach as far as I know
Bulldozing roads and people’s homes are war crimes. America supplying said bulldozers, makes them complicit and said war crimes.and just as guilty.
Indeed which is why the US is not only not a member of the ICC it, like Russia has threatened its judges and is trying to bankrupt it. Can’t say that Trump doesn’t think ahead eh.
Definitely an emergency – Palestinians homes don’t bulldoze themselves down.
Nonsense Craig, those aren’t Palestinian homes, they’re simply settler land with pre-existing obstacles in the way. This is a matter of upmost national importance for the US in terms of strategy.