Israeli Missile Boats Blew Up Syria’s Navy, And It’s Not the First Time

19FortyFive ^ | 12/13/2024 | Sebastien Roblin

[whyilovetexas111]

Israel took advantage of the effective evaporation of Syria’s regular armed forces before a rebel offensive to launch a massive strike campaign called Operation Bashan Arrow aimed at destroying 320 of the most valuable remaining military assets and supporting military-industrial facilities of its oldest enduring military adversary

While 350 Israeli combat aircraft conducted airstrikes targeting Syrian warplanes, helicopters, missile launchers, air defense systems, tanks, ammunitions depots, chemical weapons stores, and munition factories, on December 9 Israel’s Navy also launched a naval sortie likely involving its Haifa-based Sa’ar 4.5 missile boats (and/or larger Sa’ar-5 and Sa’ar-6 missile corvettes) targeting Syrian Navy boats berthed at the Mediterranean ports of Latakia, and Minet el-Beida, and nearby coastal-defense missile batteries.

[whyilovetexas111]

How much should we really help Israel when they can do these sorts of missions?

[babble-on]

They do it with weapons bought from US manufacturers using credit and cash from the US. It amounts to US domestic weapons procurement, but with the Israelis as the ones using the weapons. In short, they are a key strategic US ally and are on our side in the middle east, unless you are James Baker and love the Assad regime in Syria for some rea$on.

[BobL]

“How much should we really help Israel when they can do these sorts of missions?”

Considering what they’re up against and that they only require a relatively small amount of foreign aid (at least compared to what we’ve given Ukraine, and Iran for that matter), I’d say we go all-in and stop giving them crap.

[Enterprise]

Resupply them of any munitions they need.

[The Louiswu]

I hope Trump gives them all they want and need. This is an opportunity to push back hard on terror groups which have been gaining ground but leaps and bounds. We can’t end this war but we can push them back and give the good guys some breathing room.

[BobL]

“In short, they are a key strategic US ally and are on our side in the middle east, unless you are James Baker and love the Assad regime in Syria for some rea$on.”

We’ll have to see how this plays out long-term, but the new bunch in Syria doesn’t seem to mind releasing videos of their summary executions there, even if they initially spouted Neocon Talking Points regarding ‘tolerance’ and ‘inclusion’ shortly after taking power. Whether it devolves into a genocidal bloodbath remains to be seen.

As for Israel’s future, I definitely agree that they’re safer in the short term, having taken out some serious enemy military capability. But long term, it could be far worse for them, if this new McCain/Hillary sponsored government decides that answering to the Neocons is no longer in their interest.

[TheThirdRuffian]

I view them almost as willing mercenaries. They use their own blood to do work we wouldn’t do.

Compare and contrast with NATO, Korea, whatever, who demand our boys and our equipment on the front lines.

Best strategic investment, ever.

[epluribus_2]

the Persians will be watching those scenes with increasing fear about their own future, if necessary.

[epluribus_2]

I heard back in the cold war that Israel’s job was to destroy the Soviet navy in the Med with our stuff in the event of the Big Surprise in Europe.

[Uncle Miltie]

I’ve always wondered about the gift versus purchase ratio of arms from America to Israel. Here’s what ChatGPT has to say about it (below).

My opinion is that, of course, Israel will take what she is given, by acts of Congress representing the will of the people. If the people and Congress want to give less, that’s fine. It’s a political decision. Some people want more, some people want less, and they should appeal to their representatives to move the dial.

Israelis are keenly aware and grateful for the help. But they also understand that it is entirely at America’s option. So they always ask me what our opinions are about that.

Anyhow, here’s ChatGPT’s take, based on my question:

For munitions transfers from the U.S. to Israel, what proportion and amount are essentially purchased, and what proportion and amount are essentially unpaid gifts from America?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Munitions transfers from the U.S. to Israel can be divided into two categories: purchases made by Israel and military aid that is essentially given for free as part of U.S. foreign aid. Here’s how they break down:

1. Purchases (U.S. Sales to Israel):

Israel purchases a significant portion of its military equipment from the United States, paying full price for many weapons systems and technologies. These purchases are made through contracts and are not considered gifts.

Proportion: A large proportion of Israel’s military acquisitions are paid for. According to recent reports, Israel is one of the largest buyers of U.S. military goods. However, specific figures fluctuate depending on the year and the nature of the weapons being transferred.

Amount: The total amount for these purchases varies but can range from billions of dollars annually. For example, Israel typically buys advanced fighter jets (like the F-35), missile defense systems (like Iron Dome and David’s Sling), and other advanced technologies.

2. Unpaid Gifts (U.S. Military Aid to Israel):

The United States provides substantial military aid to Israel, which is usually in the form of grants and is intended to cover a portion of Israel’s defense costs.

Proportion: Approximately 70% to 80% of U.S. military assistance to Israel is in the form of grants that Israel does not have to repay. This aid is given under a multi-year agreement, most recently a $38 billion agreement over 10 years (2019-2028), with $3.8 billion per year allocated for military assistance.

Amount: From the most recent agreement, the U.S. has committed to providing Israel $38 billion over a 10-year period (starting in 2019), which equals about $3.8 billion per year. This is primarily intended to fund the purchase of American-made military hardware. The aid has also been used for things like missile defense systems (e.g., Iron Dome, Arrow), air-defense systems, and other defense technologies.

Summary:

A large portion (around 70-80%) of U.S. support to Israel is essentially military aid, which is provided as a grant and does not require repayment.The remaining portion (20-30%) represents purchases where Israel buys weapons and military equipment directly from the U.S. at full cost.

To clarify the exact amounts for any given year, these numbers would depend on the specific defense agreements in place, but the $3.8 billion annual military assistance figure remains consistent as the largest chunk of U.S. aid to Israel.

[chickenlips]

In the meantime the new Syrian navy will be building glass bottom boats to see the old Syrian navy.

[TheThirdRuffian]

Still is.

And to act as a massive airbase and secure forward supply location.

I think it was Reagan who called it “our unsinkable carrier group and secured beachhead”.

[Uncle Miltie]

Further to this:

What percentage of Israel’s annual military budget of all types is American military aid essentially gifted without expectations of repayment?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

As of recent data, the United States provides Israel with around $3.8 billion annually in military aid, which is a significant portion of Israel’s defense budget. This aid is primarily in the form of Foreign Military Financing (FMF), a program that is used to purchase U.S.-made defense equipment and services.

Israel’s annual defense budget is typically between $25 billion to $30 billion. To estimate the percentage of Israel’s military budget that comes from American military aid:

If Israel’s budget is approximately $30 billion and it receives $3.8 billion in U.S. aid, that would be about 12.7% of the budget.If Israel’s budget is closer to $25 billion, the percentage of U.S. aid would be around 15.2%.

Therefore, American military aid typically accounts for about 12.7% to 15.2% of Israel’s total defense budget, and this aid is given without repayment obligations, effectively “gifted” to Israel in the form of grants for military spending.

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ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

[PIF]

Not a reliable site. Stuff has been made up in the past.

[Aut Pax Aut Bellum]

How much should we really help Israel when they can do these sorts of missions?

None. I love and support Israel, but they really don't need our money. We can sell them weapons, help them with intel, and so forth, but I am sick and tired of giving other countries money.