Israel and US negotiate on CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter numbers
A CH-53K takes flight during a test exercise at Sikorsky's West Palm Beach, Florida facility (Photo: USMC)
Next steps for Israel’s CH-53K King Stallion order are likely to include a final fleet number being confirmed by negotiating parties.
The Israeli MoD and US government have entered into negotiations to determine the exact number of Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopters that will be delivered to the Israeli Air Force (IAF).
Israel has signed on as the launch export customer for the in-development USMC heavy-lift aircraft after Sikorsky edged out Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook.
An order for the King Stallion was first approved by Benny Gantz, Israel’s defence minister, on 25 February 2021 but an aircraft quantity was not disclosed at the time.
The US State Department went on to approve a request from Tel Aviv, by way of a FMS
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![AFA 2026: USAF examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics]()
AFA 2026: USAF examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics
The US Air Force is evaluating demonstrators for uncrewed cargo missions as it considers logistics requirements across the Pacific and other contested environments.
-
![Germany air focus: Europe’s leading near-term air market targets domestic industry]()
Germany air focus: Europe’s leading near-term air market targets domestic industry
Between 2026 and 2032, almost a quarter of EU aircraft spending is expected to come from Germany. While crewed programmes seek modernisation and replacement, uncrewed opportunities look to introduce entirely new capabilities, with both highlighting sovereignty and domestic production.
-
![Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad]()
Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad
European counter-drone developers are securing early orders in the Middle East while slow domestic acquisition processes threaten to redirect production capacity, expertise and investment away from Europe.
-
![AFA 2026: Swarm Aero eyes 2027 Gamera flight as Textron/Merlin reveal SkyCourier UX]()
AFA 2026: Swarm Aero eyes 2027 Gamera flight as Textron/Merlin reveal SkyCourier UX
Two new uncrewed aircraft concepts target very different US military requirements, from massed long-range strike to autonomous logistics. Shephard spoke with executives from Swarm Aero, Textron Aviation and Merlin Labs at this year's AFA Air, Space & Cyber conference to learn more about their capabilities.
