US Sells 18 War Helicopters Plus Spare Engines, GPS And Weapons To Israel For IDR 48.8 Trillion

Israel prefers the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopter over the CH-4 Chinook. (Wikimedia Commons/US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Molly Hampton)

JAKARTA - The United States (US) State Department has approved the sale of 18 Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion war helicopters to Israel to replace the aging CH-53 Yasurs.

The deal includes 60 T408-GE-400 engines, 36 embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGI) with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) to 50 GAU-21 caliber machine guns.

Citing The Jerusalem Post July 31, the prime contractors are Lockheed Martin Global and General Electric Company. The sales value is estimated at US$3.4 billion or around Rp.48,862,420,000,000

"The United States is committed to Israel's security, and it is in the national interest of the United States to help Israel develop and maintain a strong and prepared self-defense capability," the State Department said.

Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopter illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Matti Blume)

"The proposed sale will enhance the Israeli Air Force's ability to transport armored vehicles, personnel and equipment to support distributed operations. Israel will use the enhanced capabilities as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defenses," the statement added.

Last February, Israel announced plans to purchase a squadron of CH-53K instead of the Boeing CH-47 Chinook to replace its Yasur helicopter fleet at Tel Nof Air Base.

First used by the IAF in 1969, the Yasur is the air force's primary helicopter used to transport troops and equipment. The helicopter has taken part in various missions, including covert operations as well as search and rescue missions.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said the CH-53K had been "adapted" to the Air Force's operational requirements. According to him, the decision to purchase the CH-53k is a significant step in building the IDF's capabilities.

Illustration of Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter transporting war vehicles. (Wikimedia Commons/US Navy)

"This is also critical to the IDF's ability to carry out a wide range of operational activities. The decision was made after a professional assessment which included test flights on all proposed aircraft, as well as a thorough examination of the various alternatives in terms of engineering, technology, maintenance and other considerations," said Benny Gantz.

To note, the CH-53K King Stallion is powered by three engines that provide a cruising speed of 261 kilometers per hour and a range of 852 kilometers (530 miles). Operated by a crew of 5, including 2 pilots and a combat crew of 3 gunners, equipped with self-defense weapons and ballistic protection. The helicopter also has a crash-worthy seat and retractable landing gear, significantly increasing the survivability of the aircraft and crew.

The fuel tanks have also been designed to have inert gas pumped into them instead of allowing oxygen to build up inside, giving them a better chance of surviving if hit by an incoming projectile.

In addition, the CH-53K is equipped with digital fly-by-wire avionics, with fully integrated flight and navigation displays, a mechanical diagnostic system that alerts maintenance crews when a part needs to be replaced, up to triple the amount of cargo it can carry. helicopter before.