The Defense Ministry and IDF announced Thursday the approval of Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion as the army's newest cargo helicopter.
The new aircraft will replace the Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters, which the IDF has been using since the 1960s.
"The decision to acquire the new cargo aircraft for the IAF, after decades, is an important step in reinforcing the IDF's strength and vital for the executions of a variety of tactical and ordinary missions," Defense Minister Gantz said.