Israel to receive SPICE precision-guided bombs from the United States

7 November, 2023 SPICE bomb. Photo credits: Rafael The United States plans to provide Israel with SPICE precision-guided bombs worth about £320 million.

The Wall Street Journal reported on this. According to the agreement, the bombs will be manufactured by Rafael USA and subsequently transferred to its Israeli parent company, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, for use by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Official sources confirmed that Israel had formally requested the weapon prior to October 7, citing its strategic defense needs.

SPICE (Smart, Precision Impact, Cost-Effective) bombs are a family of autonomous air-to-surface weapons systems designed for high-precision strikes in the conditions of no GPS signal.

SPICE bomb. Photo credits: Rafael

Militarnyi repeatedly reported on the transfer of military aid from the United States to Israel. At the end of October, it was reported that the United States would transfer Iron Dome anti-aircraft systems to Israel to strengthen the country's air defense amid constant rocket attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah militants.

Israel also received David armored vehicles within the Foreign Military Sale program. At the same time, the Israeli defense industry does not stop its development and continues signing export contracts. Recently, it was reported that the Czech Republic entered into a defense agreement with the Israeli government to purchase I-Derby-ER long-range anti-aircraft missiles manufactured by Rafael Systems.

The missiles are due to arrive by 2027.

Spyder air defense system. Photo credits: Rafael

In addition, it was reported that the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems will build a factory to produce artillery shells for an unnamed country. The contract provides for the establishment of the said enterprise within two years.

The value of the agreement between the Israeli company and the international customer is £135 million.