$5.2 Billion Deal With Option For 25 Additional Aircraft

The Israeli Defense Ministry announced it had signed a deal to acquire 25 next generation F-15IA fighter jets from Boeing. The deal is part of a Congressionally-approved aid package and includes an option for 25 additional aircraft.

These are the first new Eagles Israel has purchased since 1995 , and the aid deal includes upgrading the country’s F-15I aircraft for a total value of $18.8 billion.  The aircraft will be equipped with weapons systems integrated with existing Israeli weapons and will also have a longer range and a heavier payload capacity. Deliveries of 4-6 aircraft per year will begin in 2031.

The Ministry said in its statement, “These advantages will enable the Israeli Air Force to maintain its strategic superiority in addressing current and future challenges in the Middle East. This procurement marks a significant milestone in deepening the defense cooperation between Israel and the United States, reflecting their mutual commitment to regional security.”

Eyal Zamir, Director General of the Defense Ministry added, “This F-15 squadron, alongside the third F-35 squadron procured earlier this year, represents a historic enhancement of our air power and strategic reach – capabilities that proved crucial during the current war.”

Given the current wars occurring in the Middle East, the additional purchase seems likely. This purchase provides an additional Eagle squadron to the Israeli Air Force, doubling the number of strike-optimized F-15s available to the service.

FMI:  www.boeing.com/