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Tel Aviv, Israel – The Israeli Defense Ministry has signed a contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars with Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, to customize 12 CH-53K heavy-lift helicopters for the Israeli Air Force (IAF), the ministry announced on Monday.
The agreement was finalized by the Defense Ministry’s mission to the United States in New York and is part of a broader Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract signed between Israel and the U.S. government several years ago.
The helicopters will be built at Sikorsky’s headquarters in Stratford, Connecticut, before undergoing modifications to meet Israel’s operational requirements.
Replacing the Aging Yas’ur Fleet
The CH-53K aircraft will replace the IAF’s aging fleet of Yas’ur helicopters, which have been the military’s primary transport platform for troops and equipment for decades.
According to the Defense Ministry, Sikorsky will establish a dedicated production line to customize each helicopter, adapting them from the standard U.S. Marine Corps version to meet Israel’s unique defense needs.
The ministry stated that the modifications would include the integration of advanced avionics, enhanced navigation systems, and electronic warfare suites supplied by Israeli defense firms.
These upgrades will bolster the helicopters’ survivability and operational efficiency in complex missions, particularly in hostile environments.
Strategic Partnership with U.S. Defense Industry
The new contract builds upon an agreement signed in 2021, under which Israel agreed to purchase 12 CH-53K helicopters and two Boeing KC-46 refueling aircraft from the U.S. government.
Production of the helicopters began in February 2022, with Lockheed Martin stating at the time that the first four units were already under construction. The first CH-53K is expected to be delivered to Israel in 2026.
Paul Lemmo, president of Sikorsky, emphasized the company’s longstanding collaboration with both the U.S. Marine Corps and the IAF.
“We are building on decades of experience and partnership in supporting the CH-53E for the Marine Corps and the CH-53D for the IAF,” he said in a statement.
He added that Sikorsky has a “deep understanding of the worldwide heavy-lift mission-enabling” and that the company’s “proven supply chain” will offer tailored solutions to enhance mission efficiency.
Advancing the IAF’s Operational Capabilities
The CH-53K helicopters represent a significant technological leap over their predecessors, featuring increased lift capacity, greater range, and enhanced survivability. These capabilities are expected to play a crucial role in Israel’s strategic airlift and special operations missions.
As regional security challenges continue to evolve, Israel’s investment in next-generation military platforms like the CH-53K highlights its commitment to maintaining aerial superiority and ensuring the rapid deployment of troops and equipment when needed.
With the first batch set to arrive in 2026, the Defense Ministry has indicated that further acquisitions and upgrades may follow as part of Israel’s long-term military modernization efforts.