The Israeli Air Force acquired “very expensive” advanced munitions for strikes in Iran, Maariv daily reports. The high-powered armaments can be used to bomb a variety of strategic assets in Iranian territory.
The report did not provide specifics as details about the weapons are classified.
According to other reports, Israel acquired from the US the GBU-72 and GBU-28 bunker buster bombs, designed to penetrate deeply buried targets such as fortified underground sites. These munitions are believed to be part of Israel’s strategy for potential strikes on Iran’s nuclear program.
Notably, the GBU-72 is a more advanced version of the GBU-28 and can penetrate deep into the earth or several meters of reinforced concrete, making it particularly effective against underground bunkers.
Earlier, Israel’s Air Force chief visited the US to advance steps that would bolster Israeli air power and strike capabilities. The IDF has long sought to enhance its ability to hit heavily fortified Iranian targets, including underground sites.
IDF boosts strike capabilities
Israel significantly bolstered its strike capabilities on Iran’s nuclear project after the Air Force initiated an orderly training plan to prepare for attack, a squadron commander previously told Walla News.
In addition to acquiring powerful munitions, the Air Force focused on practicing aerial refueling for long-distance missions, the senior officer added.
Israeli pilots trained in Cyprus and other locations in Europe but the IDF kept some of those drills secret, he said.
Notably, Israeli preparations to attack Iran’s nuclear sites also boosted the IDF’s ability to bomb other targets. By now, the Air Force built effective remote-strike capabilities for diverse scenarios, Maariv reported.
The IDF is preparing for a broad campaign against Iran beyond an attack on its nuclear facilities, a high-ranking officer said previously. Notably, IDF Chief Herzi Halevi invested significant efforts in boosting the army’s readiness for major conflict against Iran.
In parallel, Mossad’s covert action against Iran was expected to intensify. Maariv reports that the spy agency’s chiefs favor a hardline approach and more operations against Tehran. Earlier, defense officials called for more targeted killings of Iranian officers in Syria and elsewhere.
