Israel Signs Agreement to Procure 12 Advanced Boeing AH-64E Apache Helicopters
Israel has signed a contract to purchase 12 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters in a major deal to upgrade its air force fleet with advanced radar and drone integration.
Israel has signed a contract to acquire 12 advanced Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, the latest version of the iconic aircraft. The deal follows a US approval announced in January 2026 for a potential sale of up to 30 helicopters in an agreement valued at approximately $3.8 billion. The new aircraft are expected to arrive in the early next decade, joining the Israeli Air Force's attack helicopter fleet.
Advanced Capabilities and Weaponry
According to defence and aerospace publications, the helicopters are set to arrive in the Version 6 configuration, featuring significant upgrades to radars, sensors, and communication systems. The Apache is a twin-engine combat helicopter operated by a crew of two: a pilot and a weapons systems officer. It is designed for ground attack, armed reconnaissance, and close air support.
The standard armament package includes Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, 70 mm rockets, and a 30 mm automatic chain gun. In a typical heavy configuration, the helicopter can carry up to 16 Hellfire missiles, 76 rockets, and 1,200 cannon rounds. Furthermore, analysts suggest the Israeli variants may also integrate Rafael-produced Spike NLOS missiles, which boast a strike range exceeding 25 kilometres.
Radar and Drone Integration
One of the most notable features of the AH-64E is the Longbow fire control radar mounted above the main rotor, allowing the aircraft to scan its surroundings while remaining concealed behind terrain features. Reports indicate that the range of the AN/APG-78 radar has doubled from approximately 8 to 16 kilometres in this latest iteration.
The new Apache includes Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities, allowing the flight crew to receive sensor data directly from uncrewed aerial vehicles and integrate it into their operational picture.
This capability ensures that the crew is not solely reliant on the helicopter's onboard sensors, significantly enhancing situational awareness during combat operations. The incoming fleet will bolster Israel's aerial capabilities, supplementing the existing fleet of AH-64A 'Peten' and AH-64D 'Saraph' helicopters.
