Washington Approves $180 Million Engine Sale to Boost Israel’s Eitan Armored Vehicle Fleet

In a move underscoring its strategic alliance with Israel, the U.S. government has officially approved the sale of advanced engines and support equipment for Israel’s Eitan armored fighting vehicles. Valued at approximately $180 million, this latest package includes 8V199TE21-D powerpack engines along with a suite of technical, engineering, and logistics support—significantly expanding on a prior $85.5 million agreement that did not require congressional notification.

The U.S. State Department’s decision was announced through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which formally notified Congress of the proposed Foreign Military Sale earlier this week. The approved engines are intended to power the Eitan, Israel’s indigenously developed 8×8 wheeled armored personnel carrier that’s gradually replacing the aging M113 fleet. Designed to offer superior mobility, speed, and protection, the Eitan plays a key role in strengthening the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), especially in urban warfare and high-threat environments.

The latest deal does not include Major Defense Equipment (MDE) but offers significant advantages through U.S. government and contractor technical assistance, one-time engineering support, and other sustainment elements. Rolls-Royce Solutions America, headquartered in Novi, Michigan, has been selected as the principal contractor for the program.

According to U.S. defense officials, this sale is expected to enhance Israel’s ability to confront modern battlefield challenges and respond swiftly to regional threats. By upgrading its armored ground vehicle fleet, Israel will be better equipped to safeguard its borders, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure the safety of its civilian population.

The agreement also reinforces a cornerstone of U.S. Middle East policy—maintaining Israel’s “qualitative military edge” over potential adversaries. This concept ensures that Israel retains advanced defense capabilities compared to other countries in the region, and is a key principle guiding U.S. arms sales to its closest Middle Eastern ally.

While no offset agreements were included in this transaction, such deals may be independently negotiated between the manufacturer and the Israeli government at a later stage.

The Eitan program reflects Israel’s broader push to modernize its ground forces by incorporating cutting-edge technology and enhancing operational flexibility. With the backing of the United States, the Eitan platform is expected to become a cornerstone of Israel’s future armored mobility and border defense strategy.