Israel signed the largest purchase of advanced American aircraft worth two billion dollars

The Israeli Defense Ministry said on Friday that it had signed an agreement with the United States to purchase 12 Lockheed Martin CH-53K helicopters and two KC-46 refueling aircraft from Israel.

Boeing production, the total value of the deal was estimated at about two billion dollars.

The deal, which was signed on Thursday, comes within the framework of developing the capabilities of the Israeli Air Force, and includes the option to purchase six additional helicopters, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The statement said that the first planes are scheduled to arrive in Israel in 2026.

Brigadier-General Shimon Sensiber, director of air resources, told IDF Radio on Thursday that the delivery of the two refueling planes would not be before 2025.

He added that Israel is trying to bring forward the date of delivery of the two planes and ultimately wants four of them.

And it was reported by the Israeli media that the refueling planes may be critical to carrying out an air strike on Israeli nuclear facilities, a strike that Israel has long threatened.

Sensiber said the Air Force’s current refueling capabilities are adequate for his mission.