WionDrive News Desk 
Israel’s defense ministry announced on Thursday that it has signed a USD 5.2 billion agreement with Boeing to acquire 25 next-generation F-15 fighter jets. The deal, which is part of a broader U.S. aid package approved earlier this year, includes an option for an additional 25 aircraft. Deliveries of the new F-15IA jets are set to begin in 2031, with 4 to 6 aircraft expected to be supplied annually.
The F-15IA fighter jets will be equipped with advanced weapons systems compatible with Israel’s existing arsenal, along with enhanced range and payload capabilities. These upgrades are designed to bolster the Israeli Air Force’s strategic superiority in addressing both current and future security challenges in the Middle East. The ministry highlighted that the new jets, combined with the recent acquisition of a third squadron of F-35 fighters, will significantly enhance Israel’s air power and strategic reach—capabilities that have already proven critical in the ongoing conflict.
Eyal Zamir, the director-general of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, called the acquisition a “historic enhancement” of the country’s defense capabilities. He noted that the government has secured nearly USD 40 billion in defense procurement agreements since the outbreak of the war in Gaza on October 7, 2023. “While focusing on immediate needs for advanced weaponry and ammunition at unprecedented levels, we’re simultaneously investing in long-term strategic capabilities,” Zamir said.
For Boeing, the F-15 deal marks the second significant contract this year, following a USD 2.5 billion agreement in August with El Al Israel Airlines for up to 31 737 MAX aircraft. Ido Nehushtan, president of Boeing Israel, reaffirmed the company’s long-standing relationship with Israel, stating that Boeing would continue to work closely with both the U.S. and Israeli governments to deliver the advanced F-15IA jets.
The deal underscores Israel’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its military readiness amidst growing regional tensions.
