Story perspectives

Israel Signs Deal for 12 Boeing AH-64E Apaches

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 8:03 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Israel Purchases Apache Helicopters

Israel signed a deal to purchase twelve AH-64E “Echo” Apache helicopters from Boeing.
The Israel Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense signed the agreement on October 14, 2026.
Funding of 1 billion shekels ($323 million) was diverted from an Arab-sector plan and the 2026 budget.
Ministers approved the funding in an urgent cabinet phone vote two weeks before elections, despite Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s opposition.

Summary

Defense Ministry Budget Surge

Defense Ministry received a record NIS 143 billion budget for 2026, about 17 percent of total spending.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the Apache aircraft purchase a “mistake” at an investment-house summit.
The defense establishment faces a NIS 40 billion deficit for 2026, prompting extra funding requests.
In July, the Finance Ministry transferred an additional NIS 15 billion to the Defense Ministry due to grounding threats.

History

Historical Context

The 6 October 1973 Egyptian attack sparked Operation Nickel Grass, which air-lifted about 22,300 tons of arms and led Israel to approve a 50-plane F-4 Phantom order funded by 1.2 billion shekels (12 % of its 1974 defense budget). The 2026 Apache deal, a billion-shekel contract signed by Israel’s Ministry of Defense and U.S. Department of Defense despite Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s objections, repeats procurement cycle and fuels calls for tighter oversight.

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Israel Purchases Apache Helicopters

Israel signed a deal to purchase twelve AH-64E “Echo” Apache helicopters from Boeing.
The Israel Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense signed the agreement on October 14, 2026.
Funding of 1 billion shekels ($323 million) was diverted from an Arab-sector plan and the 2026 budget.
Ministers approved the funding in an urgent cabinet phone vote two weeks before elections, despite Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s opposition.

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