Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — Israel, blocked by the United States, has developed an indigenous upgrade of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.

A leading industry newsletter said Israel’s military oversaw the modernization of the Apache, produced by the U.S. firm Boeing.

Defense Industry Daily asserted that Israel installed electronic warfare, advanced avionics and self-protection systems on the Apache fleet of the Israel Air Force.

“On the other hand, the type’s consistent usefulness has led Israel to make extensive improvements of their own, to the point where Israel has effectively created their own improved AH-64A configuration,” DID said.

President Barack Obama has long opposed a U.S. project to modernize Israel’s Apache fleet, used in attacks on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. In 2010, after a delay of at least three years, the Israel Air Force suspended efforts for Boeing to upgrade its AH-64A helicopters to D configuration. The entire fleet was reported at up to 48 platforms.

“Confronted by asymmetrical urban warfare and budget priority issues, and faced with a lack of cooperation from the Obama administration, the IAF decided in 2010 to forgo AH-64D upgrades for their remaining helicopters,” the Washington-based newsletter said on March 18.

In 2013, the Israel Air Force disclosed what was termed a comprehensive
upgrade of the AH-64A. Improvements were said to have included the
replacement of main computers as well as new electronics.

“Israel has reportedly upgraded its AH-64As to its own improved
configuration, which approaches the American AH-64D standard in
sophistication but isn’t the same,” DID said.

  AH-64A, Defense Industry Daily, develops own upgrade of AH-64 Apache, Israel Air Force, Israel circumvents Obama administration