The United States State Department approved a possible $3.8 billion foreign military sale to Israel for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related equipment, a move Israeli defense officials viewed as a key step toward modernizing the Israeli Air Force’s combat helicopter fleet.
The package Israel requested included 30 AH-64E helicopters and 70 engines, along with advanced night-vision and targeting systems, radar, and support equipment, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said. The approval came as Washington also moved forward with other major regional arms packages, including a proposed Patriot missile sale to Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Air Force officials assessed that the service ultimately needed about 30 advanced Apaches to close capability gaps highlighted during the war. At this stage, defense officials said funding had been set aside for a smaller initial tranche, around 12 helicopters, with additional aircraft expected to depend on future budget decisions.
War lessons drove renewed focus on attack helicopters
Israeli defense officials pointed to the performance of Apache crews during the October 7 attack and the subsequent war, describing the helicopters’ line-of-sight advantage as critical for locating attackers, striking quickly, supporting ground forces, and helping disrupt attempted abductions in the early hours.
Senior officials also said limited numbers of helicopters, combined with the need to cycle aircraft through refueling and rearming, created operational strain during prolonged high-tempo fighting. They said the experience reinforced the need for longer range, heavier payload, improved survivability, and better networking with forces on the ground.
What the AH-64E added
Officials described the AH-64E as a significant leap from the models currently used in Israel, citing composite rotor blades designed to support heavier loads of fuel and weapons, improve durability, and reduce acoustic signature, which can make the aircraft harder to detect by sound.
They also pointed to a newer mission computer and upgraded sensors and radar, alongside cockpit avionics built around digital helmet cueing. A key feature Israeli planners emphasized was the ability to control multiple drones from the helicopter, allowing a crew to manage unmanned platforms for reconnaissance and targeting while staying in the fight.
Delivery timeline and logistics concerns
Officials said Israel wanted to advance the process quickly to secure production slots, with early planning aiming for initial deliveries around 2030. They noted that the process typically moves from US approval to a formal LOA (letter of offer and acceptance, the government-to-government contract that finalizes a foreign military sale), after which Israel can begin exercising options and placing detailed orders.
The Israeli Air Force also faced a sustainment challenge, officials said, because it continued operating older Apache variants while global fleets shifted toward newer models, tightening parts availability and specialized maintenance knowledge over time.