Israel is moving to harden and missionize its next-generation heavy-lift fleet before the first aircraft even reaches an operational squadron. On February 5, 2026, the Israel Ministry of Defense’s Procurement Directorate signed an approximately $130 million agreement with Elbit Systems to integrate advanced Israeli command-and-control, avionics, electronic warfare, and a directed infrared countermeasure capability onto the Israeli Air Force’s incoming CH-53K helicopters. The deal covers 12 aircraft, the future CH-53K “Pereh” fleet, slated to replace the long-serving CH-53 “Yas’ur” that has anchored Israel’s most demanding assault, recovery, and special-mission lift for decades. Read more...
Israel's CH-53K Pereh will field a missionized Israeli cockpit with enhanced command-and-control, advanced avionics for low-visibility and night operations, integrated electronic warfare, and DIRCM active anti-missile protection, enabling safer heavy-lift insertions, rapid obstacle and landing-zone detection, and higher survivability in contested airspace (Picture source: Israel MoD).