The Israeli military could decide within months to buy Boeing Co.’s (BA.N ) CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters following a strong endorsement by its ground forces, a senior Boeing official said on Sunday. The twin-rotor Chinooks would replace an aging fleet of Sikorsky CH-53 helicopters, which have been in operation since 1969, now manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N). Israel does not publish the number of CH-53s in operation but defense industry sources said Israel was interested in buying 20 new helicopters. The chief of Israel’s ground forces recommended the Chinooks to the air force, which operates all of the country’s military aircraft, Boeing Israel President David Ivry told Reuters. I can’t say when exactly, as it is also a question of money – how this matter fits into the IDF’s (Israeli Defence Forces) multi-year budget,” said Ivry, a former Israeli air force chief.

Source: Egypt Independent March 11, 2018 15:45 UTC