The U.S. Army Is Upgrading an Israeli Base to Make Room for New Boeing Jets
The U.S. military has been providing Israel with billions of dollars worth of weapons, including missiles, bombs, and other armaments, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Now, the Department of Defense is taking it a step further by constructing aircraft facilities in Israel to accommodate American-made refueling tanker planes. This move comes as part of a nearly $1 billion contract awarded to defense giant Boeing in 2022 to provide Israel with four KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft by the end of 2026.
The KC-46A tanker is the newest model being produced for the U.S. Air Force, designed to replace its aging fleet. However, the aircraft has faced numerous issues, including problems with its Remote Vision System, which allows the boom operator to see the boom through a video feed. Additionally, the plane has incurred significant financial losses, totaling over $7 billion.
For Israel, the purchase of the KC-46A aircraft for $927 million will replace the outdated Boeing 707 passenger planes currently used by the Israeli Air Force for midair refueling of fighter aircraft. This acquisition is seen as a signal of Israel’s determination to enhance its capacity to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities.
In addition to the KC-46A purchase, the Biden administration recently approved five major arms sales to Israel, totaling over $20 billion. These sales include F-15 fighter aircraft, tank ammunition, tactical vehicles, air-to-air missiles, and mortar rounds. While technically considered “sales,” the majority of the cost is covered by the United States, as Israel utilizes the military aid approved by Congress to purchase U.S.-made weapons.
Since October of last year, Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with over 40,000 Palestinians killed and close to 94,000 wounded, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. U.S. munitions have been used by Israel in these strikes.
The construction project for the KC-46A aircraft facilities involves the establishment and adaptation of aviation and maintenance infrastructure. This includes the construction of new concrete and steel structures, hangars, warehouses, and storage facilities. The project is part of a larger effort by the Pentagon to build military bases and facilities in Israel. Last year, it was revealed that the Defense Department had awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to build U.S. troop facilities for a secret base known as “Site 512” in Israel’s Negev desert, just 20 miles from Gaza. This base serves as a radar facility that monitors the skies for missile attacks on Israel.
The Intercept recently conducted an investigation that uncovered over 60 U.S. bases, garrisons, or shared foreign facilities in the Middle East, including Site 512. These bases range from small combat outposts to massive air bases spread across 13 countries. At least 14 of these bases have been targeted in attacks in recent years, resulting in casualties among U.S. troops and contractors.
The Defense Department plans to award contracts for the KC-46A construction project in February 2025. However, neither the Pentagon nor the State Department provided comments or answers to The Intercept’s inquiries about the construction project.
In conclusion, the U.S. Army’s decision to upgrade an Israeli base to accommodate new Boeing jets highlights the deepening military ties between the two countries. As Israel continues its campaign in Gaza, the U.S. military’s support through arms sales and construction projects raises concerns about the humanitarian impact of these weapons and facilities.