U.S. Sikorsky has started assembling 12 CH-53K heavy-lift helicopters. The helicopters will be delivered in 2028 to replace the previous Yas'ur fleet.
Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky has officially started building the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopters that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) will employ. A separate production line has been built exclusively for the Israeli order at the company's plant in Stratford, Connecticut, where the work is being conducted.
The Israeli Ministry of Defence (IMOD) signed a contract in March 2025 worth hundreds of millions of dollars for a dozen CH-53K helicopters. The agreement was concluded through the IMOD Mission in New York City and stipulates that Sikorsky will not only manufacture the aircraft but also configure them to meet the stringent operational standards demanded by Israel.
According to the company, the helicopters will be initially assembled in the standard United States Marine Corps configuration before undergoing modifications to align with Israeli mission requirements. These adaptations will include the integration of avionics, navigation systems, and advanced electronic warfare equipment supplied directly by IMOD.
The first deliveries are expected to take place in 2028, marking a generational shift in Israel’s rotary-wing heavy-lift capability. The CH-53K helicopters have been given the official nickname "Pere" (Wild) by the IAF and will replace the aging CH-53D "Yas'ur" (Petrel), which has been in service for more than half a century.
Israel originally received its first Yasur on October 2, 1969. Over the decades, a total of 42 helicopters were delivered, of which 22 remain in service. The 114th Squadron, also known as the Night Leaders, has been in charge of these planes for decades. They are a key part of Israeli air mobility. But the squadron was put on hold in 2023 until the new Pere arrived.
The CH-53K represents a significant technological advancement for Israel. The helicopter can carry more than 16 tonnes of cargo externally. It is designed to transport armoured vehicles, artillery, or large groups of soldiers over long distances.
The Israeli contract is a significant development for Sikorsky's CH-53K program, as it marks the first time the company has worked with a country other than the US Marine Corps. Adding technologies that are unique to Israel also demonstrates that the helicopter can be adapted to meet the demands of other allied countries.
As manufacturing advances, Israeli defence authorities will closely monitor the integration process, particularly the installation of locally developed electronic warfare and navigation capabilities.
Author:Özgür Ekşi
