U.S. to supply Israel with 1,000 new bunker-busting bombs

Malaysia Sun Sunday 14th September, 2008

The Bush administration has concluded a deal where it will supply Israel with 1,000 of it's latest smart bombs.

The sophisticted bombs are usually used to attack heavily fortified areas undergound. The deal raises concerns the bombs, also known as bunker-busters, are being provided to Israel ahead of a strike against Iran.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Friday it would sell the Israel Air Force the new bombs.

Although each bomb weighs 113 kilograms, its penetration capabilities equal those of a one ton bomb.

A Pentagon statement said the U.S. would provide Israel with 1,000 units of Guided Bomb Unit-39 (GBU-39) - a special weapon developed for penetrating fortified facilities located deep underground.

The statemnt also said the U.S. would help upgrade the Israel Defense Forces' patriot anti-aircraft missiles, which Israel uses as part of its missile-interception array. Israel will also receive 28,000 LAW (Light Anti-Tank Weapon) tube launchers for land forces.