In 1962, President John F. Kennedy approved the sale of modern anti-aircraft missiles to Israel, marking the first time the United States sold such advanced weaponry to the country.

The U.S. had been involved in other arms transactions involving Israel earlier as well. From the late 1950s, the United States encouraged West Germany to transfer tanks to Israel. In return, the U.S. committed to replenishing West Germany's tank supply.

By 1966, U.S.-Israel arms relations took another step forward when President Lyndon B. Johnson approved the sale of Skyhawk fighter bombers to Israel. These aircraft were pivotal for enhancing Israel's aerial capabilities.

The dynamics of international arms sales to Israel changed significantly after the Six-Day War in 1967. France, a major arms supplier to Israel until then, imposed an arms embargo on the country. As a result, the United States stepped in to become Israel's primary arms supplier.