ARLINGTON- Israel has signed an agreement with the US Department of War to buy 12 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, with deliveries due early next decade.
The Israel Ministry of Defense announced the deal on October 14. The order is well below the package Washington cleared earlier this year.
Israel Signs for the Newest Apache Version
The AH-64E is the newest version of the Apache. Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram, director general of the Israel Ministry of Defense, instructed Israel’s defense mission in the United States to sign the agreement.
The Israeli government approved the deal on Wednesday, October 14. The ministry gave no contract value and no exact delivery date.
Israeli officials said the agreement was tailored with US counterparts to fit Israel’s needs. Both Baram and Defense Minister Israel Katz pointed to obstacles that had to be cleared to finish it.
“The execution of the Apache agreement was made possible thanks to creative solutions we developed together with our American partners, without compromising operational needs,” Baram said.
Katz also credited the effort behind the deal. “The Israeli defense establishment invested considerable effort and acted with determination to overcome the challenges and complete this agreement,” he said.
Neither official explained what the challenges were. Baram said the ministry will keep working to sign further agreements covering platforms and munitions, as well as interceptors.
US Approval Set a Higher Ceiling
On Jan. 30, 2026, the US State Department approved a possible sale of 30 AH-64E helicopters to Israel at an estimated cost of $3.8 billion.
A Foreign Military Sales approval sets a ceiling, and buyers often sign for fewer aircraft than the notification covers. The $3.8 billion figure covers the full package, not the 12-helicopter order.
The U.S. arms sale notification listed 70 T700-GE 701D engines, made up of 60 installed engines and 10 spares. It also covered Longbow fire-control radars, modernized targeting sights and pilot night-vision sensors.
Other items included missile-warning systems, radar-warning equipment, radios, navigation equipment, countermeasures, training systems and logistics support.
Officials did not say whether Israel plans to order more of the approved helicopters. The equipment configuration of the signed order has not been disclosed.
New Helicopters Target the Oldest Apaches
The new helicopters are meant to replace the oldest part of the Israeli Air Force’s Apache force. Israel flies a mix of AH-64A Peten and AH-64D Saraf helicopters.
Its fleet totals 48 aircraft, including 26 A-models that are up to 39 years old. Israeli Apaches have flown heavily since the war with Hamas began in October 2023. Their missions include strikes in Gaza and Lebanon and interceptions of drones.
The AH-64E, also known as the Apache Guardian, has more powerful engines and improved sensors and avionics compared with earlier models. It can also control drones from the cockpit and receive their video feeds. The US Army uses this feature to pair Apaches with unmanned scouts.
Boeing Adds to Its Israeli Programs
Boeing Israel President Maj. Gen. (res.) Ido Nehushtan said the Apache deal follows two earlier Israeli decisions. Israel selected Boeing’s KC-46A aerial refueling tanker and chose to buy a second squadron of F-15IA fighters.
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