IAF to Receive 12 Customized CH-53K Helicopters Under New Defense Deal

Israel’s Defense Ministry announced Monday it has finalized a multi-hundred-million dollar agreement with Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, to customize 12 CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters for the Israeli Air Force (IAF). The upgraded aircraft will replace the aging Yas’ur fleet, which has served Israel since the late 1960s.

The helicopters will be produced at Sikorsky’s Connecticut facility under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement signed between Israel and the U.S. government in 2021. However, this new phase includes the establishment of a dedicated production line tailored to Israel’s specific operational needs.

Customization will incorporate cutting-edge Israeli systems, including advanced avionics, navigation tools, and electronic warfare suites developed by the Defense Ministry. These upgrades will distinguish Israel’s CH-53Ks from the standard U.S. Marine Corps configuration, ensuring maximum interoperability and mission success in regional theaters.

“This deal reflects the continued evolution of our air force and our strategic alliance with the United States,” said officials from the Defense Ministry’s procurement mission in New York.

Lockheed Martin began production on the first four helicopters in early 2022, with the first delivery expected in 2026. The IAF’s enhanced CH-53K fleet will significantly boost Israel’s ability to transport troops and equipment across long distances under combat conditions and will play a central role in national defense for decades to come.

Sikorsky President Paul Lemmo emphasized the company’s longstanding partnership with Israel and noted the CH-53K’s unmatched performance in global heavy-lift missions.

This deal marks another milestone in Israel’s defense innovation, reinforcing its position as a world leader in customized military aviation technology.

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