Israel has signed an agreement with the US government for 12 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, introducing the latest version of the type into the Israeli Air Force.
The agreement was signed on October 14 by the Israel Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense. Deliveries of the new helicopters are scheduled to begin in the early 2030s.
The acquisition follows US State Department approval in January for a possible Foreign Military Sale to Israel of up to 30 AH-64E helicopters and associated equipment, with an estimated value of US$3.8 billion.
That package included 70 General Electric T700-GE-701D engines, AN/APG-78 Longbow fire-control radars, electronic warfare systems, communications equipment, spare parts, training and logistical support.
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The value of the contract for the first 12 helicopters was not disclosed by the Israeli Defense Ministry.
Deadline to secure production slots
The agreement was concluded after months of discussions over funding and the availability of production positions for the Apache.
According to Israeli media reports, the deadline for completing the acquisition had been extended several times, with Israel facing the possibility that production slots reserved for the country could be allocated to another customer.
The Israeli government approved additional funding shortly before the agreement was signed. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had opposed the acquisition, arguing that unmanned aircraft could perform some of the missions assigned to attack helicopters at lower cost.
Israel nevertheless decided to proceed with the purchase following operational assessments made after the October 7, 2023 attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza, during which the Israeli Air Force made extensive use of its Apache fleet.
First AH-64E for Israel
Israel has operated the Apache since 1990, initially receiving the AH-64A, locally known as Peten. The country later acquired the AH-64D Longbow, designated Saraf by the Israeli Air Force.
The fleet currently comprises around 40 helicopters from the two earlier variants. The 12 new aircraft will be Israel's first AH-64Es.
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The AH-64E introduces updated avionics, communications and sensors and can exchange information with unmanned aircraft. The configuration approved for Israel also includes Longbow radars and Link 16 tactical data links.
Boeing continues to manufacture the Apache at its facility in Mesa, Arizona. The AH-64E is the current production version of the attack helicopter and is operated or ordered by several countries in addition to the US Army.
