CBNNews.com - JERUSALEM, Israel - The U.S. Department of Defense approved the sale of some 1,000 GBU-39 bunker-buster missiles to Israel.

Over the weekend, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the DOD's approval of the $77 million deal.

The deal with principal contractor Boeing Integrated Defense Systems also includes 150 mounting carriages and 30 guided test vehicles.

Two U.S. instructors will teach IAF (Israel Air Force) personnel how to load the missiles on the jet fighters.

"It is vital to the U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives," the Defense Department's statement read, noting Israel is "vital to the United States' interests throughout the Middle East."

The bunker-busting missiles can penetrate up to 20 feet of reinforced concrete.

In the event Israel has to attack Iranian nuclear facilities, the bunker-buster bombs would be essential as uranium enrichment facilities, such as the one at the Natanz plant, have been built in heavily fortified underground facilities.

The GBU-39 missiles are GPS-guided, enhancing their accuracy and thereby minimizing collateral damage.

Congress has 30 days in which to scuttle the sale.

Source: The Jerusalem Post