The new Yasur helicopters. Photo: IDF Spokesperson IDF Spokesperson

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A new version of the ‘Yasur’ helicopter joined the growing IAF fleet. The ‘Yasur 2025’ program, two and a half years running, hopes to improve the IAF’s ‘Yasur’ helicopters by extending their service in the force until the year 2025. “Today Israel’s best assembly lines are rolling out prototypes of new strategic combat helicopters,” said commander of the IAF base in Tel Nof, Brigadier General Ronen Dan during his speech.

The ‘Yasur’ helicopters squadron has served the Air Force since the 1960s and is an essential part of the IDF fighting forces. Whether in routine operations, in transporting forces and equipment, in evacuating combat soldiers from the field and in executing other special missions.  “From 1969 until today, the ‘Yasur’ helicopters have written many significant pages in history, and have executed operations which the vast majority of people are not even aware of, but are grateful for” added Brigadier General Dan. Three years ago, it was decided that the expected life for functioning helicopters should be extended, and lengthen their service until 2025.

As part of the project, new systems were installed on the helicopter, among them were, self-defense systems, electronic countermeasures, network communication, flight safety, and other advanced systems – most of them are developed in Israel. “We all wait with baited breath to fly on the newly improved platform which brings with it impressive capabilities in many different aspects. It has the compatibility for further improvements in the future as well as installing other systems, and is infinitely important to the battlefield of the future.

The man responsible for the wide scale project was Major Avichai Soher, who spoke at the event of the enormous investment – “thousands of demanding hours throughout two and a half years, “ he said. “ The investment put into the work here, the strict adherence to the time schedule while ensuring quality and safety were a guiding light to us, and it wasn’t easy. But we are in the business of realizing aspirations, and that is our job – fulfilling the dreams, the demands, and all things that are needed of our profession. The helicopter which is behind me is proof of our success.”