Light Anti-Armor Weapons (M72A7) for Israeli Armed Forces

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Israel of M72A7 Light Anti-Armor Weapons (LAAWs) as well as associated equipment and services.

The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $89 million.

The Government of Israel has requested a possible sale of 28,000 M72A7 66mm Light Anti-Armor Weapons (LAAWs), 60,000 M72AS 21mm Sub-Caliber Training Rockets, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $89 million.

Israel’s strategic position makes it vital to the United States’ interests throughout the Middle East. Our policy has been to promote Middle East peace, support the Israeli commitment to peace with other regional Arab countries, enhance regional stability, and promote Israeli readiness and self-sufficiency. It is vital to the U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.

The proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the U.S. by providing the Israeli Government with a lightweight assault rocket that will enable Israel to maintain its operational capability, and provide greater mission flexibility to deter aggression in the region. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing this weapon capability into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Talley Defense of Mesa, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Israel.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.