The Israeli Ministry of Defense has taken another critical step within the scope of efforts to renew its aging Yas’ur helicopter fleet. The Defense Procurement Directorate under the Ministry signed a contract worth approximately 130 million dollars with Elbit Systems for the integration of indigenous technologies into the new-generation CH-53K Pereh heavy-lift helicopters produced by Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky.
Advanced Avionics and DIRCM Protection
Within the framework of the agreement, the 12 CH-53K helicopters ordered for the Israeli Air Force will be equipped with state-of-the-art defense and operational systems developed by Elbit Systems. This integration package brings together an advanced DIRCM system that provides a high level of protection against heat-seeking missiles, modern command-and-control and avionics solutions, threat-detection-focused electronic warfare components, and situational awareness technologies that enable pilots to identify safe landing zones under challenging conditions. In this way, while the platform’s survivability is increased, the cockpit environment is also modernized in line with Israel’s operational requirements.
Production Process and Dedicated Integration Line
The helicopters, which are currently in the assembly phase at Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky’s facilities in Connecticut, are being procured under the Foreign Military Sales program signed with the United States. After the assembly of the platforms in the standard American configuration is completed, they will be transferred to a dedicated integration line established to meet Israel-specific operational requirements. At this stage, the helicopters’ digital architecture will be made fully compatible with the indigenous systems produced by Elbit Systems.
Objective of Operational Superiority
Officials from the Israeli Ministry of Defense state that this integration will enhance the air force’s logistical and operational flexibility. Thanks to the indigenous systems, pilots’ cockpit dominance will be maximized, while the helicopters’ ability to counter threats in the modern battlefield will be further reinforced.
Source: C4Defence / The Israeli Ministry of Defense
