Israel to buy 12 more Apache attack helicopters from US

Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced Wednesday evening that it has signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of War to purchase 12 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the early 2030s.

The agreement follows the U.S. State Department’s January approval of a potential sale of up to 30 Apache helicopters to Israel. Negotiations involving the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Finance Ministry and Boeing have continued since then, with the newly signed agreement covering 12 aircraft.

Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram instructed the defense mission at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., to sign the agreement Wednesday evening after the Israeli government approved the purchase. The announcement did not disclose the price of the 12 helicopters or indicate whether Israel would exercise options to purchase additional aircraft.

The State Department’s January approval also covered additional equipment, including 70 Apache engines, Longbow fire-control radars and targeting sights. The total value of the authorized sale was estimated at $3.8 billion, although the final agreement may cover a smaller portion of the equipment originally approved.

“The execution of the Apache agreement was made possible thanks to creative solutions we developed together with our American partners, without compromising operational needs,” Baram said. He added that Israel plans to pursue further agreements covering platforms, maintenance, munitions and other materials.

“The Israeli defense establishment invested considerable effort and acted with determination to overcome the challenges and complete this agreement,” said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Israel’s existing fleet of 48 Apache helicopters has seen heavy use during the past three years of conflict on multiple fronts. Some of the aircraft are nearly 39 years old, and their airframes are showing signs of wear, while spare parts for critical systems are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.

The AH-64E, the latest version of the Apache that Israel has agreed to purchase, features more powerful engines and technological upgrades. These include capabilities that allow pilots and gunners to coordinate with uncrewed aircraft, expanding battlefield situational awareness.

Israel also maintains a longstanding relationship with Boeing, which manufactures a significant portion of the Israeli Air Force’s fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. These include the recently purchased KC-46A aerial refueling tankers and F-15IA fighter aircraft. Boeing also manufactures all the passenger jets in El Al’s fleet.

According to a statement on the Boeing website: “The AH-64 Apache represents the backbone of the U.S. Army’s attack helicopter fleet and has accumulated over 5.3 million flight-hours, more than 1.3 million of which have been in combat.”

Boeing states that the AH-64E will remain in service into the 2060s, with production continuing into the 2030s. The company also says the latest version will “enhance teaming with autonomous systems for greater interoperability.”