Israel – CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopters with Support

Media/Public Contact
pm-cpa@state.gov
Transmittal No
21-52

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2021 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign
Military Sale to the Government of Israel of CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopters with Support and related
equipment for an estimated cost of $3.4 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the
required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.


The Government of Israel has requested to buy up to eighteen (18) CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopters; up to
sixty (60) T408-GE-400 Engines (54 installed, 6 spares); and up to thirty-six (36) Embedded Global
Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGI) with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module
(SAASM). Also included is communication equipment; GAU-21 .50 caliber Machine Guns; Mission
Planning System; facilities study, design and construction; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment;
publications and technical documentation; aircrew and maintenance training; U.S. Government and contractor
engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program
support. The total estimated cost is $3.4 billion.


The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel
to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with
those objectives.

The proposed sale will improve the Israeli Air Force’s capability to transport armored vehicles, personnel,
and equipment to support distributed operations. Israel will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to
regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing this
equipment into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractors will be Lockheed Martin Global, Inc., Shelton, Connecticut; and General Electric
Company, Lynn, Massachusetts. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this
potential sale. Any offset agreements will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the
contractor(s).

Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips by U.S. Government and contractor
representatives to participate in program and technical reviews. It will also require approximately four (4)
contractor support representatives to reside in country for a period of three (3) years to support this program.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law. The description and dollar value is for the highest estimated
quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final
requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.
All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau
of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

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