Sikorsky begins assembly of CH-53K ‘Pereh' for Israel
A CH-53K ‘Pereh' helicopter for the Israeli Air Force being assembled by Sikorsky in a photo released on 15 August 2025. (Israel Ministry of Defense)
Lockheed Martin's subsidiary Sikorsky has begun assembly of 12 CH-53K helicopters purchased by the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) for the Israeli Air Force (IAF), the IMOD announced on 15 August.
A USD3.4 billion US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement on 30 July 2021 approved up to 18 CH-53K heavy-lift helicopters with associated T408-GE-400 engines, parts, and global navigation satellite services (GNSS) and inertial navigation systems (INS) including Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Modules (SAASMs).
The IMOD said that the 12 CH-53Ks eventually purchased as part of the FMS, which will be called ‘Pereh' in IAF service, had an estimated value of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky has now received the cockpit and cabin sections of the first CH-53K ‘Pereh' helicopter for final assembly, the IMOD said. The first helicopter is expected to arrive in Israel in 2028, the ministry added.
The CH-53K ‘Pereh' helicopters will be adapted to the IAF's operational needs with a payload capacity up to three times that of the existing CH-53D ‘Yas'ur' helicopters, the IMOD said, additionally citing its higher flight speed, improved battlefield survivability, and digital flight and control systems as desired capabilities.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is to field a bespoke ‘exportable variant' of the CH-53K, featuring newly developed country-specific systems and sensors.
For more information, please seeIsrael's 118 Squadron sees intense action as it awaits new CH-53KsandIsrael to receive additional CH-53K helos .
Go beyond the headlines - with direct links to interconnected entities
Get full access to validated equipment, military capabilities, and market insights.
