(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The United States has deployed its latest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, and several warships from its Carrier Strike Group to the waters of Israel as a sign of “support” for the country, which is currently facing one of the worst attacks from Hamas and other Palestinian fighters.
The United States is also reported to be sending more weaponry and ammunition to Israel in the coming days to aid its military forces.
Israel is said to be facing a shortage of ammunition and other weapons after it used some of its strategic reserves to assist Ukraine in countering Russia.
Valued at $13 billion, the USS Gerald Ford (CVN-78) is the first of four new nuclear-powered aircraft carriers of the Gerald Ford class, intended to replace the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.
“I have directed the movement of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the waters of the eastern Mediterranean (Israeli waters),” said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
“Additionally, 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 the U.S. aircraft carrier did not “intimidate” the Palestinian armed group.
The U.S. weapons and ammunition aid is expected to arrive in Israel in the coming days.
Furthermore, the United States also has stockpiles of artillery ammunition in Israel, and the country’s military has been granted permission to use these artillery shells for its operations in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. military aid annually, receiving billions of U.S. dollars in assistance each year.
The U.S. Defense Secretary also mentioned that the major power would be augmenting its fighter jet squadrons operating in the Middle East to support its existing aircraft in dealing with Russia and Iran.
In addition to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the United States has also deployed several of its warships, including the cruiser USS Normandy, destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt to the waters of Israel.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that U.S. military forces have taken measures to bolster airpower in the region to assist existing fighter aircraft in the region, such as F-16s, A-10 Thunderbolts, and F-15s.
The USS Gerald Ford, the lead ship of the Gerald Ford class, began construction in 2008 and, after 11 years of construction by its primary contractor, Newport News Shipbuilding, was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in July 2017. — DSA
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