The Department of Defense today (Friday) signed an agreement with the U.S. government to purchase 12 Lockheed Martin CH-53K helicopters and to purchase two more Boeing KC-46 refueling aircraft.
Defense Minister Bnei Gantz said of the deal: "The procurement agreements are another significant milestone in the IDF's force building.
We continue to strengthen, change and adapt the Air Force to the challenges of the future, near and especially far from Israel's borders. "
The scope of the deal is estimated at about $ 2 billion from US aid funds.
The agreement, with the US Navy (NAVY), through which the helicopters will be purchased, was signed by the head of the procurement delegation, Brigadier General (Res.) Michel Ben Baruch. The deal includes an option to purchase six more helicopters. The first helicopters are expected to arrive in Israel in 2026.
The refueling plane // Photo: Boeing, Photo: Boeing
At the same time, the head of the Ministry of Defense's procurement delegation signed an agreement to purchase two more Boeing KC-46 refueling aircraft.
The amount of the deal from US aid funds is estimated at $ 1.1 billion.
The refueling aircraft, which will be added to two refuelers that have already been purchased (four aircraft in total), will be adapted to the Israeli configuration and the operational requirements of the Air Force. In addition, Israeli systems will also be integrated into the aircraft.
The acquisition of the platforms is part of a large-scale move, promoted by the Ministry of Defense together with the IDF over the past year and a half, to strengthen the IDF's capabilities and build strength in the face of existing and future threats, including in the third circle.
The U.S. aid fundraising program includes equipping a new squadron of "mighty" (F35) aircraft, refuelers (KC-46), CH-53K storm surge replacement helicopters, advanced air armament, air defense systems, new offshore and digital platforms and cyber and digital issues.
The head of the US Department of Defense's procurement delegation, Brigadier General (Res.) Michel Ben Baruch and the delegation's accountant, Aryeh Peretz // Photo: Ministry of Defense Spokeswoman,
The procurement components were summed up by the Minister of Defense, Bnei Gantz, in a series of dedicated discussions with all the relevant parties.
The budget was approved by the Ministerial Committee for Equipping as well as by the Joint Committee for the Defense Budget in the Knesset, in accordance with the law.
As you may recall, it was reported in "Israel Today" about a month ago that soon Israel is expected to remain without Yasur helicopters for about a year.
The reason is that the first two new storm helicopters will not arrive in Israel before 2026, while the State Comptroller has determined that it will not be possible to extend the life of the old storm helicopters after 2025.
About two weeks ago, reports were published that the Ministry of Defense had asked the United States to speed up the transfer of the eight aerial refueling aircraft that Israel had purchased from Boeing, apparently in light of the distant attacks in Iran.
According to the report, Israel sought to immediately receive two of the eight aircraft ordered, model KC-46, and to speed up the delivery of four aircraft purchased earlier this year, in order to receive them in the next two years, in order to increase the range of Air Force aircraft.
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