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The U.S. Needs to Update Its Arms Stockpile in Israel

(Wall Street Journal) Michael Makovsky and Blaise Misztal - A relatively unknown U.S. arms depot in Israel has become a stockpile of democracy in recent months, as the Biden administration has transferred its artillery shells to Ukraine. In 1984, the U.S. established the War Reserve Stockpile Ammunition-Israel (WRSA-I), a forward-deployed arms depot that could serve as a readily accessible reserve for American forces in case of regional conflict. The station was also meant to function as an insurance policy for Israel, allowing it quick access to weapons if needed. Israel covers the facility's maintenance costs and has used the stockpile at least twice - during its 2006 conflict with Lebanon and in 2014 during its war with Gaza. In recent years, however, the existing stockpile has become obsolete, housing only shells and unguided munitions. Senior Israeli military officials say the depot hasn't been upgraded since before the Obama administration. The U.S. should take the time to equip the WRSA-I with updated materiel so that it may again be a tactical and strategic asset for Israel. It's vital that America restock the WRSA-I with precision-guided munitions (PGMs) because they allow the military to hit ground targets while limiting civilian casualties and other collateral damage. Israel already uses many U.S.-sourced PGMs in its campaign to roll back Iran's regionwide military entrenchment. Mr. Makovsky is president and CEO of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. Mr. Misztal is JINSA's vice president for policy.
2023-01-26 00:00:00
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