The US Secretary of State has approved a potential foreign military sale to Israel, which includes Boeing F-15IA and F-15I+ fighter jets and related equipment, estimated to be worth $18.82 billion.
The proposed deal comprises up to 50 new F-15IA multi-role fighter jets and upgrades for 25 existing F-15I aircraft. It also encompasses various associated equipment such as engines, radars, navigation pods, missile launchers, and advanced avionics. Deliveries of the new aircraft are expected to commence in 2029.
This order follows a request made by the Israeli Air Force in January 2023.
The F-15IA is the Israeli designation for the F-15EX Eagle II, which is said to feature a host of upgraded elements compared to the previous standard, such as enhanced payload capacity, fly-by-wire controls, a state-of-the-art digital cockpit, upgraded sensors, advanced radar systems, and electronic warfare capabilities.
The F-15I Ra’am is a locally adapted variant of the F-15E Strike Eagle that has been in operation with the Israeli Air Force since the early 1990s.
“Incorporating F-15IAs into the Israel Air Force’s fleet of fighter aircraft will enhance Israel’s interoperability with US systems and bolster Israel’s aerial capabilities to meet current and future enemy threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.
While the F-15EX does not match certain capabilities of existing 5th-generation fighters, it is expected to provide a more cost-effective alternative for carrying out missions such as airspace or base defense. The aircraft can also carry large amounts of ordinance that can be guided to the target by jets with superior sensor capabilities, such as the F-35 fighter jet, which Israel already operates.
In June 2024, the Biden administration reportedly approved the provision of 25 additional F-35I “Adir” fighter-bombers. This follows a request issued by the Israeli Air Force on September 3, 2023, to allow the creation of a third squadron of F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, bringing the total fleet to 75 aircraft.