Israeli Air Force Reactivates Maritime Helicopter Squadron with New Seahawk Fleet

The Israeli Air Force reactivated Squadron 193 on July 28 2026 at Palmachim Airbase, restoring its maritime helicopter capability for the Israeli Navy after a year‑long gap caused by the retirement of the AS565 Panther “Atalef” fleet in August 2025. Three Sikorsky SH‑60F Seahawk helicopters, designated “Shalach,” arrived in Israel and are being integrated, with two more expected before the end of the year.

The new helicopters double the range, endurance and troop‑carrying capacity of the former fleet, can transport more than ten soldiers and include a flight mechanic in the crew. They are suited for intelligence gathering, surveillance, search‑and‑rescue, medical evacuation and the insertion of forces onto ships or hostile territory, and can operate from Sa’ar 5 and Sa’ar 6 corvettes. The ceremony was attended by IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Omer Tischler and Navy Commander Maj. Gen. Eyal Harel. Squadron 193, originally formed in 1987, had been de‑activated in 2025 and now resumes operations from Palmachim.