Which US-made weaponry does Israel, which stands accused of genocide, use in Gaza?

By Yavuz Aydin

ANKARA (AA) - Israel, which stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has been using US-sourced high-tech weapon systems and smart ammunition in the massacres it has committed in Gaza since Oct. 7, when Hamas carried out a cross-border incursion.

Reports in the press also alleged that there is evidence Israel used GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb, a type of high-tech guided bomb dropped from aircraft, especially during the May 26 attack on unprotected tents where displaced Palestinians were staying in Rafah, killing dozens of Palestinians. It is also noteworthy that aircraft in the Israeli inventory are technically compatible with this ammunition.

In the face of witnesses' statements that Israeli warplanes attacked the camp with at least eight rockets, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that two 17-kilogram smart ammunition was used in the attack, which they claimed would minimize civilian casualties. Many civilians lost their lives and were injured due to the pressure effect and subsequent fires in the tents.

It is known that since Oct 7, the US has been providing arms support to Israel at an unprecedented pace and amount. In the first 45 days, the US sent more than 10,000 tons of weapons to Israel via 244 cargo planes and 20 ships. The aid in question included more than 15,000 bombs and 50,000 artillery shells.

In addition, an undisclosed amount of weapons and ammunition was transferred from the US to warehouses in Israel known as War Reserves Stock Allies-Israel (WRSA-I). There is no information on how much of the stocks in question was transferred to Israel.

It is claimed that more than 100 military sales approvals were made to Israel between Oct. 2023 and March 2024, but only two of them were disclosed to the public.

It is known that the biggest deal among these is the $18 billion F-15 and ammunition sale, which is reported to be close to completion in early April. The sales package in question includes 50 new F-15 fighter jets, 30 AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air missiles and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits that transform unguided bombs into precision guided weapons.

- Transfer of weapons and ammunition from the US has not slowed down

At the end of January, there was news in the Israeli press that the US would sell F-35 planes, Apache Attack Helicopters, as well as drones and thousands of artillery shells to Israel.

At the end of March, the US administration approved the sale of 25 F-35s and aircraft engines to Israel, worth $2.5 billion, and the delivery of 1,800 MK-84 unguided bombs and 500 MK-82 unguided bombs.

On May 7, it was claimed that the Joe Biden administration in the US postponed the sale of approximately 6,500 JDAMs, which Israel reportedly used in Gaza.

On May 8, it was reported in the American press that a shipment of 1,800 bombs (900-kilogram) and 1,700 more bombs (225-kilogram) to Israel was stopped due to concerns that they would be used in densely populated areas.

An agreement was signed between the US and Israel on June 4 for the sale of 25 F-35 aircraft.

- Weapons and ammunition given by the US to the Israeli Land Forces

Israel supplies the weapons in the inventory of its Land, Naval and Air forces from the US, Germany, England, Italy and France, as well as from domestic production. In particular, it supplies the majority of air platforms and the ammunition used in them directly from the US.

Previously, US-origin tanks such as M4 "Sherman,” M48 "Patton" and M60 "Sabra" were developed and used, but Israel stopped purchasing tanks from other countries after it started producing domestic Merkava tanks.

- M113 Armored Personnel carrier (APC)

After the US, Israel is the country that uses the most M113 APCs, with over 6,000 units. However, Israel uses Hebrew names in different models designed to suit its own geographical conditions.

Israeli model M113s are named "Bardelas,” "Nagmash,” "Zelda" and "Zelda 2," which has reactive armor, and "Nagman" and "Kasman" designed for urban combat. Israel plans to replace M113s with "Namer" and "Eitan AFV" armored personnel carriers by the end of the 2020s, with the exchange program it started in 2014.

M113 can carry two crew members and 11 soldiers, its combat weight is 12,300 kilograms, also being 4.86 meters long and 2.68 meters wide. Its height is 2.5 meters, it can travel at a speed of 66 kilometers per hour and has a range of 480 kilometers.

The APC has 12-38 millimeter aluminum armor known for its lightness. Depending on the need, anti-aircraft or machine guns of various sizes, mortars and anti-aircraft missiles can be mounted, and it is also used for purposes such as casualty evacuation. For example, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has produced an M113-based vehicle called Super Vulcan, which can mount air defense missiles such as Stinger, MISTRAL, SA-16, SA-18.

- M270 MLRS

The Israeli Ground Forces have extensively used the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) in previous attacks on Gaza, including in Oct. 2023.

Israel uses an improved version of the M270, called "Menatetz,” which was designed in 1982 and was first used in the Gulf War in 1991. The gun can fire Israeli-made rockets such as Ra'am Eithan, RAMAM, Romach/AccuLAR, LORA, as well as US-made GMLRS rockets.

The armored vehicle on which the system is mounted is 6.86 meters long, 2.57 meters high, and has a maximum range of 480 kilometers. The vehicle, which can travel at a speed of 64 kilometers per hour and has a full weight of 24.7 tons, can be used with a crew of three people.

- M109 howitzer

M109 is a type of self-propelled howitzer that can fire artillery shells with a diameter of 155 millimeters. Israel has 250 units of the US-origin M109A5 model and 30 units of the M109A2 model.

The system, which is used with a crew of four to six people, is currently produced by the US-based BAE Systems Platforms & Services. The armored vehicle carrying the howitzer has a 12.7-millimeter M2 machine gun, a "Mk 19 Mod 3" 40-millimeter automatic grenade launcher, and a 7.62-millimeter M60, M240 or L4 machine gun. The vehicle is 9.1 meters long and 3.25 meters high. The maximum speed of the system, which weighs 27.5 tons and can fire projectiles with a range of 18 to 30 kilometers, is 61 kilometers per hour.

Israel fired tens of thousands of US General Dynamics-produced 155-millimeter bullets from M109s in Gaza. Some of these; M825 and M825A1 bullets containing white phosphorus, which are prohibited for use in areas populated by civilians and potentially constitute a war crime.

- Naval forces

The vast majority of ships in the Israeli Navy are German-made. The only naval platforms of US origin are the Sa'ar 5 class corvettes. It is known that Israel has used Sa'ar 5 corvettes in its attacks in Gaza since Oct. 2023.

There are three corvettes produced by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS). Although it operates with a crew of 71 and is relatively small, it carries weapons and auxiliary systems similar to frigates.

The ship has sonar, two triple torpedoes, two quadruple missile launchers, electronic warfare systems, close protection weapon system, two automatic cannons, one helipad and helicopter hangar. The ship's maximum speed is 61 kilometers per hour and its range is 6,500 kilometers. The corvette is 85.64 meters long.

Sa'ar 5 includes US-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Barak-type Israeli-made air-to-ground missiles, 20-millimeter Phalanx CIWS close protection machine gun, Typhoon Weapon Station, 324-millimeter torpedoes and a helicopter.

- AH-64 Apache

Apache, which made its first flight in 1975 and was put into service in 1986, is currently produced by the US Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS).

The attack helicopter, with two pilots sitting back-to-back, twin engines, is 17.73 meters long, 3.87 meters high and has a maximum take-off weight of 10,433 kilograms. It can cruise at 265 kilometers per hour, reach a maximum speed of 365 kilometers per hour and a range between 480 and 1896 kilometers.

The Israeli Air Force has 48 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, including A (Israeli name Peten) and D (Saraph) models.

In addition to the 30-millimeter cannon, the helicopter can carry AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles, 70-millimeter Hydra 70 missiles, US-made AGM-114 Hellfire, AGM-65 Maverick and Israeli-made Spike missiles.

Additionally, the AGR-20 (APKWS) can also fire a laser-guided 70-millimeter rocket.

- Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and SH-60 Seahawk helicopters

There are 50 Sikorsky UH-60s in the Israeli Air Force, called Yanshuf. The twin-engine helicopter, used in general purpose transportation missions, with a crew of four including two pilots, is 19.76 meters long and 5.13 meters high. The helicopter, which can take off with a maximum weight of 9 thousand 979 kilograms, can travel at a cruising speed of 282 kilometers per hour and a maximum speed of 357 kilometers per hour. The range of the helicopter, which has a combat range of 590 kilometers, can be increased to 2,221 kilometers by installing an additional tank.

The helicopter, which can carry 7.62-millimeter M240 and M134 machine guns or a 12.7-millimeter GAU-19 gatling gun, can be equipped with special equipment to add unguided 70-millimeter Hydra 70, guided AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and AIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.

Additionally, Israel ordered eight units for the naval version SH-60 Seahawk.

- Surface-to-surface and air-to-surface rockets

Produced by the US Lockheed Martin, Guided Multiple Barrel Rocket Launch System (GMLRS) is known as the M270 Multiple Barrel Rocket System and has a range of 15-70 kilometers, carrying a warhead of approximately 91 kilograms. It is also GPS guided and capable of carrying six rockets in each launcher. It is noted that more than 60,000 units of GMLRS have been produced by the manufacturer to date and its production continues.

The AGM-114 Hellfire missile, which Israel also used in the attacks in Gaza, is produced by US Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Northrop Grumman. Hellfire was originally produced against armored targets but can also be used against high value targets. The air-to-ground missile is semi-active laser and radar guided, 1.6 meters long and weighs 45-49 kilograms. It can be launched from helicopters, planes and armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UCAV). It can aim at the target at 1.3 times the speed of sound.

The Hellfire entered service in the United States in 1984.

Hydra 70 rockets, on the other hand, are known as unguided rockets stabilized by fins with a diameter of 70 millimeters, are used against targets on the ground from pods mounted on US helicopters. The rockets can be fitted with a variety of warheads, including those containing white phosphorus. The rockets are produced by US General Dynamics. The rocket is 1.06 meters long, weighs around six kilograms, although it varies depending on the warheads, and has an effective range of eight kilometers and a maximum range of 10.5 kilometers. The new versions can be equipped with guidance systems against point targets produced by BAE Systems.

Finally, AGM-65 Maverick is produced by the US Raytheon Missiles & Defense (RMD). Maverick can be used against various tactical targets such as close air support, air-to-ground, armored vehicles, air defense systems, ships, convoys and fuel storage facilities. The missile weighs 210 to 306 kilograms and is 2.49 meters long. Its range is over 22 kilometers and it can fly at a speed of 1150 kilometers per hour. The missile, which has electro-optical, infrared and laser-guided models, entered service in 1972.

- Planes and helicopters provided by the US to Israel

Although the Israeli Air Force has air platforms procured from countries other than the US, most of its inventory is of US origin.

In air strikes, it uses F-15 Eagle, F-35I Adir, F-16I Fighting Falcon combat air platforms from the American-made inventory.

Apart from these, US-origin Super King Air, C-130 Hercules, C-130J Super Hercules transport, Boeing 707, KC-46 Pegasus, KC-130 Hercules tanker aircraft, Super King Air, Gulfstream G550 communication and electronic intelligence aircraft, T-6 Texan II training aircraft, Bell 206 general purpose and Sikorsky CH-53 heavy transport helicopters are used.

- F-15 Eagle

The F-15 Eagle, which is in the approval phase for sale by the US, is a multi-role, twin-engine fighter aircraft whose design began in the 1960s and has been produced by McDonnell Douglas Corporation since 1969 to provide air superiority in war. F-15 is currently produced by Boeing company.

It is known that Israel has a total of 86 F-15Is in its inventory, 66 of which are combat and 20 are training, named Ra'am (thunder).

The range of the aircraft, which can accelerate to 2.5 times the speed of sound, varies between 2,000 and 3,500 kilometers. The aircraft, which is 19.43 meters long and 5.69 meters high, can take off with a weight of over 30 tons when fully loaded.

The aircraft, which has a 20-millimeter cannon, can use air-to-air AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, and air-to-ground CBU-52/59/71/87/89, MK-20 Rockeye, AGM-88 HARM missiles.

- F-35I Adir

F-35 is the second type of US-origin warplane in Israel's possession. The Israeli version of the aircraft in question is called Adir.

It is known that the Israeli Air Force, which currently owns 39 "Adirs,” plans to purchase 36 more.

F-35s, produced by the American company Lockheed Martin and used in combat by Israel for the first time in 2018, is a single-engine, multi-role stealth fighter aircraft. The aircraft, whose mission systems, avionics and sensor systems have increased the pilot's situational awareness and whose command-control capabilities have been improved, is designed for network-centric warfare. The pilot can control the aircraft with the helmet-mounted display system (HMDS).

The F-35 carries its ammunition in its internal compartment in stealth mode, but this feature can be abandoned and its capacity can be increased up to 8 thousand 100 kilograms with the weapon compartments installed on the wings.

While only air-to-air missiles such as AIM-120 and AIM-260 can be carried in the interior compartments, the wings can carry air-to-surface JDAM, Paveway laser-guided bombs, AGM-154 (JSOW), AGM-179 (JAGM) and CBU series cluster bombs, and AGM 158 anti-ship missiles.

In addition, many small ammunition such as GBU-39, GBU-53/B and SPEAR 3 can be mounted on its wings. The aircraft has a 25-millimeter cannon.

F-35 has the ability to carry B61 Mod 12 nuclear bombs, but it is not known whether such ammunition is available in Israel.

Used with a single pilot, the F-35 is 15.7 meters long, 4.4 meters high and can take off with a maximum weight of 29 thousand 900 kilograms. F-35, which can fly at 1.6 times the speed of sound, has a range of 1239 to 2,800 kilometers.

- Fighting Falcon F-16

The F-16 Fighting Falcon, produced by Lockheed Martin, made its first flight in 1974 and entered service in 1978, is known as a multi-role, single-engine, 4th generation fighter aircraft.

Israel has 175 combat versions and 49 training versions of these aircraft. Israel uses the "C" and "I" models of the F-16, which it calls "Barak and Soufa."

Israel has Block 30/40/52 models of the F-16 C. F-16I is the two-seat version of the F-16D Block 52+ developed for Israel, supported by Israeli-made systems.

F-16I is defined as a fighter aircraft that is 15.03 meters long, 5.09 meters high, can take off with a maximum weight of 23,582 kilograms, can accelerate to 2.05 times the speed of sound, has a combat range of 546 kilometers and a maximum range of approximately 4,200 kilometers.

The F-16 has a 20 millimeter cannon. Hydra 70 unguided rockets can be fired from aircraft. Air-to-air US-origin AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 and Python type Israeli-made guided missiles, air-to-ground AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-158 JASSM, AGM-154 JSOW, AGM-84 and AGM 119 anti-ship missiles, CBU 58/87/89/97, Mark 82/83/84 bombs, GBU-39 and GBU-10/12/24/27 and JDAM bombs can be used on this aircraft.

- Israel's US-origin bombs and ammunition: Air-to-ground aircraft bombs

The Israeli military has several serial air-to-ground aircraft bombs from US-origin bombs and ammunition. One of these is the bombs known as the MK series.

Mark 82 (MK-82), a free-fall bomb produced by US-based General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, is used against tanks, buildings and other ground targets. It weighs 241 kilograms and is 2.21 meters long.

Mark 83 (MK-83) is defined as a 460-kilogram, 3.03-meter-long free-fall bomb from the same family. Large buildings, factories, power centers, bridges, underground shelters and aircraft hangars can be the main targets of MK-83 bombs.

The Mark 84 (MK-84) bomb is produced by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems and weighs 925 kilograms, is 3.83 meters long and is free falling. It is known as a bomb that has the power to destroy building blocks and cause great damage with its large size and the explosive it contains.

Apart from the MK series, the GBU series is one of the US-origin bomb types in the possession of the Israeli army.

GBU-12 is a guided aircraft bomb produced by American Lockheed Martin, by adding laser guidance and fins to the MK-82 general purpose bomb. The GBU-12, which entered service in the American military in 1976, has a range of 14.8 kilometers, a weight of 230 kilograms and a length of 3.27 meters.

GBU-15, weighing 1,111 kilograms and produced by American Rockwell International, is used by adding a guidance kit to MK-84 or BLU-109 bunker-piercing bombs. It is 3.90 meters long and has an infrared or radio passive guidance system. The bomb, which has a range of 9.3 to 27.8 kilometers, can also be used as an anti-ship.

GBU-16 Paveway II is an aircraft bomb created by attaching a laser guidance kit to the 450-kilogram MK-83 general purpose bomb. GBU-16 Paveway II, produced by American Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, is 3.7 meters long and has a range of 14.8 kilometers.

GBU-27 Paveway II is used by adding laser guidance to BLU-109 bunker-piercing bombs. Produced by American Raytheon, the bomb, which is 4.2 meters long and weighs 900 kilograms, has a range of 19 kilometers.

GBU-28, produced by American Raytheon and General Dynamics, is defined as a 1814.3 kilogram weight, 5.82 meter long, laser-guided, bunker-piercing aircraft bomb. It is known that the GBU-28, which can penetrate 50 meters of soil and five meters of concrete, was approved for the sale of 100 units to Israel in 2005-2006, 55 of them were delivered in 2009 and were used in Gaza in 2008, 2009 and 2021.

GBU-31 is a bunker-piercing bomb that has been guided by adding the JDAM kit to the 907-kilogram MK-84 bomb and is known as GPS guided. The bomb, produced by American McDonnell Douglas, is 3.8 meters long. GBU-31, which can weigh up to 925 kilograms with JDAM, can also be used with BLU-109 bunker-piercing bombs. It is estimated that Israel fired hundreds of GBU-31s in its recent attacks on Gaza.

GBU-32 has similar features to GBU-31 but is used with the MK-83 bomb. The bomb weighs 460.5 kilograms with JDAM mass, is 3.03 meters long and is GPS guided.

- GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb used in Rafah

The GBU-39B guided air-to-ground bomb is produced by Boeing. It is known as a GPS-guided weapon that entered service in 2006, has a maximum range of 74 kilometers, and can be equipped with a maximum warhead of approximately 113 kilograms, but smaller explosives can also be mounted.

GBU-39B can be launched from aircraft in Israel's inventory.

- BLU-109

The bunker-piercing aircraft bomb BLU-109, which has an explosive weight of 243 kilograms and can be fitted with a JDAM kit, is also called GBU-56 when used with JDAM.

The 2.41 meter long bomb can penetrate concrete shelters 1.2 to 1.8 meters thick.

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- Cluster bombs

These types of bombs contain smaller bomblets and literally scatter them wherever they are thrown. Bombs that do not explode can cause serious civilian casualties. It is known that cluster bombs were used by Israel in Lebanon in 1978, 1982 and 2006. It is considered that Israel also used cluster bombs in its attacks on Gaza.

CBU-58 cluster bomb, one of the banned bombs, contains 650 BLU-63 bomblets. Production of the bomb in the US has since been stopped.