developing· Security· Updated 09:19

Israel Signs $988 Million Deal for 12 Advanced Apache Helicopters

Israel's Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Pentagon have signed a $988 million deal to purchase 12 advanced AH-64E Apache "Echo" attack helicopters from Boeing. The agreement, finalized on Wednesday, reverses a previous IDF plan to downsize its combat helicopter fleet, a shift prompted by lessons from the October 7 Hamas attack and the ongoing war. The new helicopters are scheduled for delivery starting in the early 2030s.

10 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 14 Oct, 15:57

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What happened

01Israel signed a $988 million deal with the U.S. Pentagon to purchase 12 advanced Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
02The new helicopters are scheduled to be delivered to the Israeli Air Force starting in the early 2030s.
03The purchase reverses a previous IDF plan to downsize its combat helicopter fleet, following lessons from the October 7 Hamas attack.
04The deal was finalized after the Israeli government approved an exceptional NIS 1.03 billion allocation to resolve a dispute between the Finance and Defense ministries.
05Funding for the purchase will be drawn from future state budgets, including funds diverted from a five-year plan for the Arab community.
06The agreement follows multiple extensions granted by the U.S. administration due to Israel's complex budgetary constraints.
07The 12 helicopters are part of a broader U.S. approval from January 2026 allowing Israel to purchase up to 30 Apaches for $3.8 billion.
08The AH-64E model features an upgraded radar with a 16-kilometer range and advanced capabilities to integrate with drones.

The deal was finalized after a sharp two-week budgetary dispute between the Israeli Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Defense. The conflict arose when a funding source for $288 million of the total cost, due between 2027 and 2029, could not be identified. To secure the purchase, the Israeli government approved an exceptional allocation of NIS 1.03 billion for defense procurement, drawing some funds from the state budget for 2026 and subsequent years, and diverting others from a five-year plan for the Arab community.

Prior to the agreement, the U.S. administration had granted multiple extensions at Israel's request due to these complex budgetary constraints. The deal is part of a broader U.S. approval from January 2026 that allows Israel to purchase up to 30 Apache helicopters and associated equipment for up to $3.8 billion. Defense Minister Israel Katz hailed the acquisition as a critical step in building the IDF's strength against a wide range of threats.

The AH-64E "Echo" model is the most advanced version of the combat helicopter, featuring upgraded radar with double the range of previous versions, enhanced sensors, and advanced communication systems. Notably, the new helicopters will feature capabilities allowing crews to integrate with and control unmanned aerial systems.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 10 newsrooms. Updated 10:00

Latest report: TheMarker. Read TheMarker’s original