"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," the agency said. "Israel will have no difficulty
absorbing this weapon capability into its armed forces."
Israel has requested 28,000 M72A7 66 mm LAAW systems as well as 60,000
M72AS 21 mm sub-caliber training rockets. The prime contractor was
identified as Talley Defense, based in Mesa, Arizona.
The Pentagon was also preparing to sell the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb
to Israel. In a sale valued at $77 million, Israel could receive 1,000
GBU-39s as well as mounting carriages, vehicles and weapons simulators.
Officials said the Israel Air Force has already deployed the GBU-39,
acquired in wake of the Israeli war in Lebanon. The prime
contractor was identified as Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.
"Implementation of this proposed sale will involve multiple trips to
Israel by U.S. government and contractor representatives for one-week
intervals, for approximately three years," DSCA said.