(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The United States is considering a proposal to send a second aircraft carrier to the waters of Israel to assist the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, which arrived in the country today.
The second aircraft carrier, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, is already in the Middle East and is now diverting towards Israeli waters to accompany the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.
Both U.S. aircraft carriers carry approximately 200 fighter planes.
The Carrier Strike Groups, USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower are also accompanied by various escort ships, including cruisers and destroyers.
According to officials from the U.S. Department of Defense, the presence of both aircraft carriers is to show support for Israel and serve as a “warning” to any third parties attempting to interfere in the conflict between Israel and Hamas at this time.
Defense analysts state that the United States is trying to send a “warning” to Iran not to intervene in the ongoing conflict or support Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
In addition to sending its aircraft carriers to Israeli waters as a show of support for the Jewish state, the United States is also reportedly sending more weapons and ammunition to Israel in the coming days to assist the country’s military.
Israel is said to be facing a shortage of ammunition and other weapons after using strategic reserves to aid Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Valued at $13 billion (RM52 billion), the USS Gerald Ford (CVN-78) is the first of four new-generation nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the Gerald Ford class, replacing the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.
“I have directed the movement of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the eastern Mediterranean waters (Israeli waters),” said U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
“In addition, the United States will also provide the Israeli Defense Forces with resources and equipment, including ammunition.”
In response, a Hamas spokesperson stated that the deployment of U.S. aircraft carriers is not “intimidating” to the Palestinian armed group. U.S. military aid and ammunition will arrive in Israel in the coming days.
Additionally, the United States maintains a stockpile of artillery ammunition in Israel, and the country’s military has been given permission to use these artillery rounds for its operations in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. military aid each year, receiving billions of U.S. dollars annually.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense also mentioned that the major power would increase its fighter aircraft squadrons operating in the Middle East to support its existing aircraft in the region in dealing with Russia and Iran.
Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the U.S. military has taken steps to bolster airpower in the region to support existing fighter aircraft in the area, such as F-16s, A-10 Thunderbolts, and F-15s.– DSA
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