The IDF has requested Apache attack helicopters from the United States but has been denied so far, Ynet has learned. The request was made to the Pentagon in recent weeks and was also raised by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during his meetings with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during his visit to Israel last week. Security sources suggest that a final decision on the potential acquisition has not been made, and Jerusalem is continuing to apply pressure.
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The military has stated that the helicopters are required to enhance its aerial operations. The IDF has deployed its existing Apache attack helicopters in Gaza, for operations against Hezbollah targets in South Lebanon and strikes on terrorist targets in the West Bank.
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US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv
(Photo: Yariv Katz)
The IDF has only two helicopter flight squadrons, operating Boeing's AH-64 Apache 190 and 113. These squadrons have been conducting round-the-clock operations in Gaza since the beginning of the war. They are stationed at the Ramon airfield in the south, with a branch in the Jezreel Valley in the north. Choppers from the northern branch were deployed to the Gaza border on October 7.
The workload on the two squadrons has been extremely high. Air Force Commander Brigadier General Tomar Bar was requested to recall retired pilots aged 54-55 to return to active duty, even though they exceeded the accepted age limit for combat flights, which is 51. Older pilots aged 55-60 were also called up to fill operational positions on the ground.
Pilots who had previously left Israel to pursue careers abroad also returned when the war began, primarily from the U.S. or the Far East. After completing refresher courses, they were assigned to fly missions.
To alleviate the burden on reservists, their families and the economy, the Air Force implemented a schedule that required them to conduct missions several days a week. This resulted in active-duty pilots flying more hours, with some sorties lasting 3 to 4 hours continuously without leaving their cockpits.
American military aid provided since the outbreak of the war exploded to the highest level since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. It includes planes, ships, thousands of weapon systems and munitions like tank shells, specialized aircraft bombs, drones, night vision gear, radars and even armored vehicles and ambulances. These supplies have been distributed to units engaged on all fronts, including the West Bank, effectively meeting military demands.
These supplies have been sourced from U.S. depots in the Middle East. Without this aid, the IDF would have faced challenges in advancing in the conflict and achieving one of its objectives, which is to establish deterrence.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has maintained pressure on Israel to avoid an all-out war with Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. This pressure persisted even as efforts were made to remove terrorists from the border area with Israel. The region also saw a significant American naval presence, including aircraft carrier strike groups.
Israel has, for now, yielded to this pressure from both Washington and France, refraining from expanding the conflict to the north. This decision comes despite Defense Minister Gallant's calls for a preemptive strike on Hezbollah, seen as the primary threat to Israel's security.