Israel signs a deal to purchase 12 helicopters and two KC-46 tankers from US

Middle East, News, US January 2, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced on December 31, that Israel has signed an agreement with the United States to purchase 12 Lockheed Martin CH-53K helicopters and two Boeing KC-46 tanker planes.

The deal for heavy-lift cargo helicopters and aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft is estimated to be approximately $3.1 billion. The helicopters agreement was signed at $2 billion, and the KC-46 tankers deal was reached at $1.1 billion, the Israeli Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The agreement was signed on December 30 under the arrangement to upgrade the Israeli Air Force’s capabilities. Lockheed Martin Sikorsky helicopters are expected to replace Yasur helicopters that are being used by the Israeli Air Force. Israeli ministry’s statement said that the deal also includes an option to purchase six additional helicopters.

The procurement is “part of a wider program to strengthen the capabilities of the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] and preparedness to face current and developing threats,” the ministry statement added.

Israel’s Chief of Materiel for the Air Force Brigadier-General Shimon Tsentsiper said that the refueling planes are expected to be delivered to Israel before 2025, and the first helicopters will arrive in 2026. Israel was trying to bring forward the transfer of the KC-46 aircraft, and ultimately wanted a total of four refueling planes, Tsentsiper added.

In November 2021, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the cost of the Lockheed Martin helicopters was approximately $100 million per aircraft, and an additional cost million for electronic equipment and special weapons per aircraft was $1.5-20. The total cost also includes training and five years of maintenance as well as simulators.

*^{Boeing KC-46 aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft (Image Credit: Boeing)}*

After the Biden administration waved the purchase in July, the Israeli government committee approved the procurement proposal in November 2021.

The Israeli ministry said in a statement that these procurement deals are part of a large-scale program undertaken by Israel’s military and the Ministry of Defense over the past year and a half to reinforce Israel’s military capabilities, force buildup, and preparedness to face existing and future threats.

According to Israeli media, the KC-46 aerial refueling and military aircraft would be essential to carry out long-threatened airstrikes on Iran and its nuclear facilities.