The U.S. Department of Defense’s procurement delegation tonight (Friday) signed an agreement (LOA) for the purchase of 12 helicopters made by the American company Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky, which will replace the Air Force’s old storm helicopters. The deal is estimated at $ 2 billion in US aid. 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 6 additional helicopters. The first helicopters are expected to arrive in Israel during 2026.
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 (4 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 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.
Defense Minister Bnei Gantz: “The procurement agreements are another significant brick – 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. “
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