Jerusalem
Israel’s Defence Ministry has finalized a $5.2 billion deal with Boeing to purchase 25 advanced F-15 fighter jets on Thursday. The agreement, which includes an option for an additional 25 aircraft, is part of a broader US aid package approved earlier this year.
The F-15IA jets, designed with Israeli weapon systems and enhanced capabilities, will provide the Israeli Air Force with improved range and payload capacity. These upgrades are aimed at strengthening Israel’s strategic superiority in the Middle East, addressing both current and future defense challenges.
The delivery of the new jets is scheduled to begin in 2031, with Israel expecting four to six aircraft per year. Eyal Zamir, the director-general of Israel’s Defence Ministry, emphasized that this acquisition, alongside the procurement of a third squadron of F-35 jets earlier in 2024, represents a significant enhancement of Israel’s air power. This development is seen as crucial amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israel has already secured nearly $40 billion in procurement agreements since the war began in October 2023.
