The United States is quietly investing hundreds of millions of dollars in building and upgrading military infrastructure for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), according to newly uncovered documents published by Haaretz. The projects, funded through U.S. military aid, are part of a sweeping initiative by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to enhance Israeli air, naval, and ground capabilities.
The initiative includes more than 20 separate projects with an estimated total value of $1.5 billion, ranging from new clinics and naval piers to headquarters buildings, ammunition storage bunkers, and aircraft infrastructure. Many of the facilities are designed to accommodate Israel’s latest military procurements, including the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter, Boeing KC-46 refueling aircraft, and new squadrons of F-35 and F-15IA fighter jets.
According to Haaretz, the scale and scope of U.S.-funded construction in Israel are far greater than previously disclosed. While a June contractor conference was postponed due to the war with Iran, the tender documents revealed ongoing projects valued at over $250 million, with future contracts expected to surpass $1 billion.
Under the 2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding signed during the Obama administration, Israel receives $3.8 billion annually in American military aid through 2028. However, the war in Gaza and recent hostilities with Iran have prompted an unprecedented spike in supplemental funding. By September 2024, the U.S. had provided an additional $18 billion in arms, according to Brown University’s Cost of War project. In January 2025, the U.S. Congress approved a further $26 billion military aid package, including $4 billion earmarked for Israel’s missile defense.
One of the largest projects cited in the Haaretz report involves the construction of infrastructure for a new F-35 squadron, with a price tag of up to $500 million. Additional highlights include:
- $250 million to prepare Tel Nof Airbase for next-generation CH-53K helicopters
- $100 million to upgrade Nevatim Airbase for new KC-46 tankers
- $100 million for ammunition bunkers at Hatzerim Airbase
- $10 million for a “Hot Loading Pad” for handling explosives
- A new headquarters for the Shayetet 13 naval commando unit in Atlit
Although the projects are funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars, only American companies are permitted to bid as prime contractors, while Israeli subcontractors execute most of the work on the ground.
In some cases, details of the projects—officially concealed under code names—have been deduced through public Israeli military publications. For instance, “Site 20136,” listed in U.S. documents, corresponds to Tel Nof Airbase, home to Squadron 114, which is set to receive the new CH-53Ks.
This is not the first time the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has supervised major military construction in Israel. Past revelations include the 2012 construction of the underground “Site 911” at Nevatim Air Base, as reported by The Washington Post, and the secret “Site 81” facility in central Tel Aviv, disclosed by Haaretz.
Criticism of America’s military support for Israel is growing across the political spectrum. While proponents argue the aid bolsters U.S. defense manufacturers and supports a key ally, opponents say the assistance should be reconsidered or conditioned, especially in light of ongoing conflicts and alleged human rights violations.
During a White House meeting in April, President Donald Trump acknowledged the issue, telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “Don’t forget, we help Israel a lot. We give Israel $4 billion a year. That’s a lot… But we take care of our friends.”
Despite tight security protocols, the extensive tender documents—often running into thousands of pages—contain detailed engineering plans, maps, and specifications. In some cases, these unintentionally reveal the exact location and purpose of otherwise classified sites.
As U.S. military aid to Israel continues to grow, both in scope and strategic depth, the revelations reported by Haaretz shine a light on the increasingly intertwined defense infrastructure of the two nations—raising new questions about transparency, oversight, and the long-term geopolitical implications.
