New F-15IA squadron set to boost Israeli Air Force in $5.2 billion agreement
New F-15IA squadron set to boost Israeli Air Force in $5.2 billion agreement
Israel’s latest military acquisition strengthens air capabilities as Ministry of Defense secures an option for a second squadron.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense has finalized a major $5.2 billion agreement with the U.S. government to purchase 25 advanced F-15 fighter jets from Boeing. The deal, which includes an option for the future purchase of an additional 25 aircraft, will enable Israel to establish a second squadron of these jets. This acquisition is to be financed through the U.S. military aid program, which allocates $3.8 billion annually to Israel.
The new F-15 aircraft, designated as the F-15IA, will be equipped with state-of-the-art weapons systems, including advanced radar capabilities and the capacity to carry a large payload for extended-range missions. The Ministry of Defense announced that adding these aircraft will help Israel maintain air superiority in the Middle East, enhancing its ability to respond to current and future regional threats. The first deliveries of the F-15IA are expected in 2031, with four to six aircraft scheduled to arrive each year.
Eyal Zamir, Director General of the Ministry of Defense, noted that this acquisition aligns with a strategic plan to strengthen the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) over the coming years. He emphasized that since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, the Ministry has signed deals totaling approximately NIS 150 billion (approximately $40 billion). Zamir also highlighted that the new F-15 squadron will be joined by a third squadron of F-35 aircraft from Lockheed Martin, which Israel ordered earlier this year. He stated that these upgrades represent an "unprecedented enhancement of the air force and long-term strategic capabilities of the IDF and the State of Israel," underscoring their significance in the current conflict.
The acquisition of the Boeing fighter jets had been delayed for several months in Israel due to political maneuvering. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich used the deal as leverage with then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to establish a committee for reviewing the defense budget.
The new F-15s will replace aging aircraft currently in service with the Israeli Air Force, including older models of the F-16 and F-15, the latter of which were first supplied to Israel in the 1970s. Defense officials regard the F-15IA as a significant force multiplier and a vital addition to Israel's defense infrastructure. The F-35 fleet, with its radar-evading stealth capabilities, offers strategic advantages, though it is limited in payload capacity. The F-15IA, in contrast, will provide a complementary advantage, capable of carrying a broader and more substantial array of armaments. Together, the F-15IA and F-35 fleets are expected to significantly enhance Israel's operational capabilities in the air.
