By TARA COPP, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has approved $20 billion worth of arms sales to Israel, including numerous fighter jets and advanced air-to-air missiles, the State Department said Tuesday.

Congress has been briefed on the impending sale, which includes more than 50 F-15 fighter jets, advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs), 120mm tank ammunition, high-explosive grenade launchers and tactical vehicles. The sale comes at a time of deep concerns about Israel’s potential involvement in a larger war in the Middle East.

However, it is not expected that the weapons will reach Israel any time soon, as these are contracts that will take years to fulfill. A large proportion of the weapons sold are intended to help Israel increase its military capabilities in the long term.

“The United States is committed to Israel’s security, and it is critical to U.S. national interests to help Israel develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those goals,” the State Department said in a press release about the sale.

The contracts not only cover the sale of 50 new aircraft that Boeing will produce, but also include upgrade kits for Israel to upgrade its existing fleet of two dozen F-15 fighter jets with new engines and radars, among other things. The jets make up the bulk of the $20 billion deal, with first deliveries expected in 2029.