US approves Apache, Koala helicopters for Israel

An IAF pilot poses in front of his AH-64D Apache attack helicopter. The US has now approved the sale of the latest AH-64E to Israel, along with additional AW119Kx training helicopters. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The United States has approved the sale to Israel of attack and trainer helicopters for a combined USD3.95 billion.

Announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in two separate notifications published on 30 January, the US Department of State Foreign Military Sales (FMS) approvals cover 30 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters for USD3.8 billion and an undisclosed number of Leonardo AW119Kx Koala training helicopters for USD150 million.

“The proposed sale will enhance Israel's capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to defend Israel's borders, vital infrastructure, and population centres. This proposed sale will increase interoperability with US forces and conveys US commitment to Israel's security and armed forces modernisation,” the DSCA said of both approvals.

AH-64E approval

The AH-64E approval covers related equipment, including mast-mounted Northrop Grumman AN/APG-78 Longbow fire-control radars and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) receivers. While weapon launchers are included, the weapons themselves are not.

Although not specified in the announcement, these helicopters will be of the latest Version 6 standard now in service with the US Army and other international customers. This version greatly extends the type's stand-off capabilities with an increased range of the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-78 mast-mounted fire-control radar from 8 to 16 km. Version 6 also features a dedicated maritime attack capability for the first time.

These newbuild AH-64Es will replace and/or augment 23 remaining AH-64A Peten (Cobra) helicopters that were received by the Israeli Air Force (IAF) from 1990, as well as 20 remaining AH-64D Saraf (Fiery Winged Serpent) helicopters received from 2005.

AW119Kx approval