Sikorsky Begins Assembly of the First CH-53K Helicopter for Israel

The American company Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky has begun the process of assembling the first CH-53K Pereh helicopter for the Israeli Air Force.

This was reported by the Israeli Ministry of Defense on its Facebook page.

12 helicopters were purchased under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract signed between the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) and the US government at the end of 2021. The estimated value of the deal was $2 billion.

Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky has already received the cockpit and cabin sections of the first CH-53K Pereh helicopter for final assembly.

Despite initial plans to begin deliveries in 2026, the first helicopter is currently expected to arrive in Israel in 2028.

The CH-53K Pereh helicopters will be adapted to the operational needs of the Israeli Air Force and will provide up to three times the payload capacity of the existing outdated CH-53D Yas’ur helicopters, which Israel began operating in 1969.

The CH-53K made its maiden flight in October 2015. The maximum takeoff weight of the new transport helicopter is 39.9 tons. It can carry cargo weighing up to 12.2 tons on an external sling.

The CH-53K, powered by GE38-1B engines, is capable of reaching speeds of up to 315 kilometers per hour. The combat radius of the helicopter is about 200 kilometers.