The Israeli Ministry of Public Security and Israeli Police awarded Elbit Systems Ltd. [ESLT] a $115 million contract to supply leasing and maintenance services for the Israeli Police Force’s aircraft, the company said Thursday.
The contract was the result of a public tender and is to be performed over a 20-year period. It includes acquiring six new helicopters, adapting them to meet police requirements, and performing routine maintenance.
The company will operate the helicopters under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI).
The configuration and onboard mission systems of the helicopters will be fitted to accommodate missions including surveillance, policing, search and rescue, command and control, and fire-fighting, Elbit said.
“The decision of the Ministry of Public Security to award the helicopters project to us attests to the success of our PFI based projects, such as operating fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter and unmanned systems fleets, both in Israel and worldwide,” Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems said in a statement.
“We are proud to cooperate, yet again, with the Ministry of Public Security, the Israeli Police Force and the Fire Fighting Forces and to contribute our experience to Israel’s safety and security.”