The U.S. State Department has approved the proposed sale of 30 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to Israel as part of a multi-billion-dollar defense package.
The helicopter sale is valued at $3.8 billion and includes 70 engines and other related equipment. Additional arms sales to Israel announced Friday included 3,250 light tactical vehicles and bring the total value up to $6.67 billion.
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the State Department said Friday. “This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.”
In a separate announcement, the State Department said it had also approved the sale of additional Leonardo AW119Kx light utility helicopters to the Israeli government.
The latter agreement has an estimated value of $150 million, though it’s unclear how many aircraft are being supplied. Leonardo previously announced an order for seven AW119Kx helicopters from Israel in 2019, and a $29 million contract for new aircraft in 2022.
“The proposed sale will improve Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to defend its borders, vital infrastructure, and population centers,” the State Department said.
“This proposed sale will increase the interoperability with U.S. forces and conveys U.S. commitment to Israel’s security and armed forces modernization. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
The AH-64E is seen as the backbone of the U.S. Army’s attack helicopter fleet, and has 1,300 aircraft in operation around the globe, Boeing said.
In 2020, the Pentagon awarded a contract for up to 130 AW119s to replace the Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger as the primary training helicopter for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the move, saying he received only one hour’s notice from the Trump Administration.
He said the move would, “disregard Congressional oversight and years of standing practice.”
“I continue to support Israel’s critical military needs as it faces a range of regional threats, and my engagement on complex questions surrounding arms sales has been consistent across Administrations,” Meeks added.
