# Israel maritime helicopter capability upgrade

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/israel-maritime-helicopter-capability-upgrade
> Updated: 2026-08-04T23:41:31.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

On 28 July 2026 the Israeli Air Force reactivated Squadron 193 at Palmachim Airbase, restoring its maritime helicopter capability after a year‑long gap caused by the retirement of the AS565 Panther fleet. Three SH‑60F Seahawk helicopters, nicknamed “Shalach,” were delivered and began integration, offering double the range, endurance and troop‑carrying capacity of the previous aircraft.

A week later, on 4 August 2026, the Israeli Navy announced the addition of eight more SH‑60F Seahawks, transferred from the United States under the Excess Defense Articles program and upgraded with Israeli radar, communications and electronic‑warfare systems. These helicopters will be operated by Squadron 193 for maritime missions in the Mediterranean and Red Sea, making Israel the world’s second operator of the SH‑60F type.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-04: Israeli Navy Adds SH-60F Seahawk Helicopters to Fleet

Israel’s navy has added eight US‑supplied SH‑60F Seahawk helicopters, modernised locally, reactivating Squadron 193 and becoming the second global operator after Spain.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-navy-adds-sh-60f-seahawk-helicopters-to-fleet

### 2026-07-28: Israeli Air Force Reactivates Maritime Helicopter Squadron with New Seahawk Fleet

Israeli Air Force reactivated Squadron 193 on July 28 2026 at Palmachim, introducing three SH‑60F Seahawk helicopters (“Shalach”) to replace the retired Atalef fleet, doubling range, endurance and troop‑carry,

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-air-force-reactivates-maritime-helicopter-squadron-with-new-seahawk-fleet

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Cite as: Israel maritime helicopter capability upgrade. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/israel-maritime-helicopter-capability-upgrade