IDF urgently needs helicopters: order at risk of cancellation
The Ministerial Committee has approved in principle the purchase of 12 Apache helicopters, but without financial guarantees, Israel may lose its place on the production line and face a doubling of costs.
The IDF force buildup crisis continues: for the second time in a month, the Ministerial Committee for Procurement has approved the purchase of 12 Apache helicopters. However, this remains an approval in principle, conditional on the defense establishment presenting financial sources to the Ministry of Finance.
The core issue is that if Israel does not transfer the financial commitment to the USA within days, it will lose its place on the production line. This would delay the order by several years and potentially double the cost per helicopter. The defense establishment is furious with the conduct of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is causing a series of delays in procurement and equipment.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has led a 350 billion shekel, ten-year plan for the IDF's force buildup, a necessary move following the 'Iron Swords' war. The plan includes equipping the Air Force with new F-35 and F-15EX squadrons.
The Air Force is committed to renewing its helicopter fleet, as the current combat array consists of aging A and D model Apaches for which spare parts are no longer available. The IDF's plan is to purchase 12 new helicopters to maintain two squadrons, though the long-term requirement is for at least fifty new aircraft.
The IDF also urgently needs to purchase additional 'Yasur' (CH-53K) heavy transport helicopters. The immediate goal is to exercise an option for six helicopters, with a long-term aim of reaching a fleet of over 30. Furthermore, the IDF requires the procurement of ten 'Reshef' ships for the Navy and the opening of additional production lines in Israel for 'Merkava' tanks and 'Namer', 'Namera', and 'Eitan' armored vehicles.
Despite the Prime Minister's ten-year equipment plan, the defense establishment claims that the Treasury is actively obstructing the government-approved program. The Apache helicopter procurement is currently at a critical juncture, and the defense establishment hopes that the Treasury will provide final approval to the American company Boeing in the coming days.
