This development forms part of a broader Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement made with the U.S. Government several years ago. The new helicopters are intended to replace the ageing “Yas’ur” fleet currently operated by the Israeli Air Force (IAF).
All 12 aircraft are currently being assembled at Sikorsky’s headquarters in Stratford, Connecticut. Under the new agreement, a dedicated production line will be established to tailor each aircraft to the IAF’s operational requirements.
The contract includes the integration of advanced avionics, navigation systems, and electronic warfare suites supplied by the Israeli Ministry of Defence. These modifications are designed to meet the IAF’s stringent performance and security standards.
Brig. Gen. (Res.) Michel Ben-Baruch, head of the IMOD Mission to the U.S., said: “This agreement for the development and supply of Israeli systems for the CH-53K helicopters reflects the strength of Israeli-American defence cooperation.” He added, “The aircraft will be at the heart of the IAF’s operational readiness for decades to come.”
Vice President of Sikorsky, Paul Lemmo, stated: “We are honoured to work with the Israel Ministry of Defense to deliver next-generation capabilities for their air force.” He noted, “This is a milestone in our long-standing relationship with Israel and a testament to the performance of the CH-53K platform.”
The upgraded “Pere” helicopters are expected to play a critical role in future IAF missions, providing enhanced lift capacity and resilience in complex operational environments. The integration process is expected to be completed in the coming years.
