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US approves deal to supply 18 attack helicopters to Israel 

July 31, 2021 at 1:01 pm

A US army helicopter flies over the stepped Ziggurat temple, a three-tiered edifice dating back to 2113 BC, in the ancient city of Ur in southern Iraq on February 4, 2010. he buried antiquities of [ESSAM AL-SUDANI/AFP via Getty Images]

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of 18 heavy-lift helicopters to Israel in a deal valued at up to $3.4 billion, a statement issued on Friday revealed.

According to the statement, Israel will receive 18 CH-53K heavy-lift helicopters to replace the ageing Yasur squadron.

It will also include engines, navigation systems, weaponry, support equipment, spares and technical support.

Lockheed Martin Corp and Israeli General Electric Co are the prime contractors of the deal, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.

“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defence capability,” the US statement announced.

“It is also essential to the IDF’s ability to carry out a wide range of operational activities,” The Jerusalem Post reported Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz stating.

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“The decision was made following a professional assessment that included test flights in all the proposed aircraft, as well as a thorough examination of the various alternatives in terms of engineering, technology, maintenance and other considerations,” Gantz added.

In February, Israel announced that it would purchase one squadron of CH-53K over Boeing’s CH-47, to replace its fleet of Yasur helicopters at Tel Nof Air Base.

On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives passed its fiscal year 2022 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, providing funding for the US’ overseas interests for the upcoming year.

The Jewish News Syndicate reported that the bill, on which numerous pro-Israeli organisations advised, includes $3.3 billion in security assistance to Israel as one of its key provisions outlined in the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries.

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