not everywhere· Security· Updated 13:41

Israel Approves NIS 1 Billion Transfer to Fund Apache Helicopter Purchase

The Israeli government approved a budget transfer of over 1 billion shekels, approximately 270 million dollars, to expedite the urgent purchase of 12 Apache attack helicopters for the Israeli Air Force. The decision, conducted via a phone and WhatsApp vote on Wednesday, aims to rescue a deal with Boeing that had previously collapsed due to funding disputes between the Finance and Defense ministries.

5 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 08:59

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Israel Approves NIS 1 Billion Transfer to Fund Apache Helicopter Purchase — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01The Israeli government approved a 1.03 billion shekel transfer to fund the urgent purchase of 12 Apache attack helicopters.
02Funding for the helicopters will primarily come from 964 million shekels in cuts to Arab society development programs between 2027 and 2029.
03The budget cuts will divert 169 million shekels in 2027, 342 million in 2028, and 453 million in 2029.
04An additional 68 million shekels for the purchase will be reallocated from government interest payment provisions in 2026.
05The decision aims to rescue a deal with Boeing that had collapsed due to disputes between the Finance and Defense ministries.
06Defense Minister Israel Katz and defense officials supported the accelerated procurement as an immediate security priority.
07The defense establishment is seeking an additional 2 billion shekels, expected to be funded by cross-ministry cuts this year.

To finance the acquisition, the government will divert 964 million shekels from future budgets allocated to a five-year development and investment plan for Arab society in Israel. These budget reductions will be implemented between 2027 and 2029, with cuts of 169 million shekels in 2027, 342 million shekels in 2028, and 453 million shekels in 2029. An additional 68 million shekels will be reallocated from government interest payment provisions in 2026.

Defense Ministry officials and Defense Minister Israel Katz supported the accelerated procurement, calling the purchase an immediate security priority. The Israeli Air Force has sought these helicopters for years, and while the United States approved a potential 3.8 billion dollar deal in January, the purchase still requires final approval because the ordering deadline has expired.

In addition to this transfer, the defense establishment is seeking more than 2 billion shekels in further funding. The government is expected to finance this request through broad, cross-ministry budget cuts within the current year.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 12:47