'Israel' strikes major deals with Elbit Systems, pivots away from US
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Under the first deal, Elbit Systems will supply thousands of heavy air munitions to the Israeli Air Force, aiming to lessen "Israel's" reliance on the United States.
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The new Hermes 650™ Spark UAS drone by Elbit Systems. (ELBIT SYSTEMS)
"Israel" signed two significant contracts with Elbit Systems, tasking the arms contractor with supplying the military with thousands of heavy bombs and establishing a new facility to produce raw materials, Israeli media reported.
The two agreements, valued at approximately NIS 1 billion ($275 million), are described by the ministry as “crucial for enhancing the Israeli army’s operational endurance and force build-up capabilities.”
Under the first deal, Elbit will provide thousands of heavy air munitions for the Israeli Air Force, reducing "Israel’s" dependence on the United States, which had delayed a shipment of heavy bombs in late spring, as per Israeli media.
The second agreement, as per the reports, will see Elbit set up a "national raw materials plant" to produce materials that were previously mainly sourced from abroad.
The ministry explained, “The new facility will feature advanced production lines for energetic materials that Israel’s defense industry uses."
The project aims to “strengthen domestic manufacturing independence and reduce reliance on imported raw materials.”
This comes as "Israel" continues its genocide for 459 days, killing over 45,854 Palestinians amid a dire humanitarian crisis.
It is worth noting that Elbit Systems is known for supplying the Israeli occupation forces with drones, munitions, combat vehicles, missiles, and various other types of weaponry. Palestine Action compelled Elbit Systems to permanently close several weapons factories in the UK, despite facing arrests, raids, and imprisonment.
Resuming suspended US arms shipments to 'Israel' now possible
It is now possible to send the US weapons shipment that was previously suspended to "Israel", as the Biden administration recognizes that the incoming Trump administration would have approved it, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) reported last month, citing an American source.
In early May, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that the United States halted a shipment of bombs to "Israel" over concerns about their potential use in the invasion of Rafah.
KAN mentioned that the Director-General of the Israeli Security Ministry, Eyal Zamir, raised the issue of the suspended weapons shipment during meetings with senior officials in Washington.
Zamil pointed out that "Israel" is increasing its domestic weapons production amid the arms embargo imposed by several countries.
Despite the US administration's suspension of a specific weapons shipment to "Israel", it has continued to export other arms shipments.
This has been accompanied by unlimited military and political support for "Israel" during its aggression on Gaza and Lebanon.
Read next: Elbit Systems loses billions as UK ditches drone contract
