ABSTRACT
The post-1973 Israeli foreign policy has been characterized by a heavy American orientation. Due to its isolation, the necessity to maintain the American commitment to Israel and to reach an understanding with Washington grew considerably. This chapter looks at one aspect of the American-Israeli relationship – the arms transfer – during the 1974 to 1977 period. During those years, a new level of American assistance was established and the trends of the Israeli long-range weapon procurement plan emerged. Most of the quantitative and qualitative arms in the Israeli arsenal were agreed upon during this period. Those were the formative years in the American-Israeli post-October 1973 relationship, as well as in the modernization of the IDF.
