Israel Signs $3B Deal for CH-53K Helicopters, KC-46 Tankers

The Israel Ministry of Defense signed an agreement estimated to be worth $3 billion with the United States for CH-53K helicopters and KC-46 refueling aircraft.

On Friday, the ministry said in a statement that it is ordering 12 helicopters built by Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, as well as two tanker aircraft. It is part of an upgrade of Israel's air force capabilities and includes an option to buy six additional helicopters.

Also read: Israel Picks Lockheed’s CH-53K as its Next Heavy-Lift Helicopter

The Israel Air Force (IAF) is expected to receive first of these helicopters in 2026.

Brigadier-General Shimon Tsentsiper, chief of materiel for the Air Force, told Israel's Army Radio on Thursday that Israel was trying to bring forward the delivery of the KC-46s, and eventually wanted a total of four of them.