U.S. approves military sale to Israel of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $992.4 million sale of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) munitions and support to Israel, invoking emergency authorities to bypass the usual congressional review, the department said in a notice.

Israel requested 10,000 APKWS-II All-Up Round munitions along with test and other support equipment, technical data, spare and repair parts, publications and documentation, training and training gear, transportation, and U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics services. The State Department said the package would bolster Israel’s ability to meet current and future threats, strengthen homeland defense, and deter regional adversaries, adding that the sale would not alter the region’s basic military balance and that Israel can readily absorb the equipment.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined that an emergency exists requiring the immediate sale in the interests of U.S. national security, waiving the standard congressional review requirements under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act. Under that law, proposed government-to-government arms sales to close partners such as Israel typically trigger a 15-day review period before the deal can proceed; the emergency provision allows the department to forgo that waiting period while still notifying lawmakers.

The principal contractor is BAE Systems in Nashua, New Hampshire. The U.S. government said it is not aware of any offset arrangements tied to the potential sale; any such agreements would be set during negotiations between Israel and the supplier. Implementation would not require assigning additional U.S. government or contractor personnel to Israel, according to the notice.

APKWS is a laser-guidance kit that converts standard 70mm Hydra rockets into precision munitions. Designed to be fired from rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft and some ground platforms, the weapon offers a lower-cost, lower-yield alternative to larger precision missiles and has been widely used by U.S. forces and international partners. Advocates say its precision and relatively small warhead can help limit collateral damage in urban environments.

The State Department framed the proposed sale as consistent with U.S. foreign policy objectives, citing Israel’s role as a key regional partner and a contributor to political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. Emergency determinations for arms sales have been used by successive administrations in cases where officials argue that urgent security needs outweigh the benefits of the standard review process—a mechanism that has previously drawn criticism from some lawmakers who say it curtails congressional oversight.

Approval of a potential sale does not constitute a finalized contract; quantities, pricing, and delivery timelines can change during negotiations. However, the emergency determination allows the U.S. to move more quickly to supply the requested equipment and support once terms are agreed.