ISN SECURITY WATCH (28/04/05) - The US has agreed to supply Israel with 5,000 "smart bombs" in a US$319 million weapons deal announced on Wednesday.
The bombs include 500 one-ton "bunker-busters", along with 2,500 other one-ton bombs, 1,000 half-ton bombs, and 500 quarter-ton bombs. The news prompted immediate speculation that the bombs may be used to hit Iranian nuclear facilities.
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The US and Israel say they are pursuing a diplomatic course to convince Iran to end all nuclear activity, but Tehran has steadfastly maintained it has a right to develop its nuclear potential for civilian use. On Tuesday, Tehran announced that it had started converting raw uranium into the gas needed for enrichment, a process that can be used to make nuclear weapons. If Iran cannot be convinced to forgo its nuclear program, there are concerns that either the US or Israel may attempt to destroy its nuclear sites. | Concerns? Hell, we're counting on it! |
The BLU-109 (Bomb Live Unit) "bunker-buster" — 500 of which will be delivered to Israel - is well suited for such a purpose, as it can penetrate five meters of fortifications. The bombs are mounted on satellite-guided missiles and can be fired from F-15 or F-16 jets. Earlier this year, under the US government's Peace Marble V defense assistance program, Israel had received the first of 102 F-16Is configured for long-range strikes.
As the bombs can be guided by Israel's own military surveillance satellites that monitor Iran, Tel Aviv would not need to rely on US satellites. The precision-guided munitions, or "smart" bombs, are self-guiding weapons intended to maximize damage to the target but minimize collateral damage. However, if their guidance systems fail, they could cause greater collateral damage than an ordinary bomb.
Israeli military officials have not made any statements about whether the bombs could be used against Iran, but they ruled out the possibility that they would be used against Palestinian targets. In July 2002, Israel used a "smart" bomb against a senior Palestinian militant, but the blast also killed 15 civilians, drawing international condemnation.
The Pentagon announced last June that it was considering the sale to Israel in a package meant to "contribute significantly to US strategic and tactical objectives". Funding for the deal will come from US military aid to Israel. |