At the end of January, for an amount valued at US$150 million, the United States government authorized the sale of AW119Kx light utility helicopters to equip the Israeli Air Force. The State Department’s decision also coincided with the authorization granted to the Israeli government for the sale of Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
Since early June 2024, the Israeli Air Force has been advancing in the incorporation of its new Leonardo AW119Kx “Koala” helicopters. These aircraft, selected by the force to replace its OH-58 Kiowa “Saifan,” are primarily intended for the training and instruction of new pilots.
In total, following the agreements formalized in 2019 with the Italian company, the purchase of twelve (12) new aircraft was confirmed, with the reception process beginning in 2024 upon the arrival of the first helicopters at Hatzerim Air Base, home of the Israeli Air Force Flight Academy, and the execution of the first flights. Although no further details have been provided since then regarding the arrival of the remaining units from the original contract, by 2026 the Israeli Air Force already operates a total of eleven aircraft, with only the delivery of the final helicopter pending.
On January 30, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed that the Israeli government requested from the United States the purchase of AW119Kx helicopters, which are currently produced by Leonardo Helicopters USA, the American subsidiary of the Italian company located in Philadelphia.
However, in its official communication, the DSCA did not specify how many additional helicopters Israel has requested to equip its Air Force, noting only that the recent authorization complements the previous Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, originally valued at US$78.2 million and now totaling US$150 million. This includes the new helicopters, along with their respective spare parts, manuals, documentation, manufacturer support, and training services.
The State Department indicated: “This proposed sale will contribute to U.S. foreign policy and national security by helping to improve the security of a strategic regional partner that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.” They further added: “The proposed sale will enhance Israel’s ability to meet current and future threats by strengthening its capacity to defend its borders, critical infrastructure, and population centers.”
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