Aviation News

Israel approves purchase of additional F-35I and F-15IA squadrons from the US

By Jean Carmela Lim
Edited By Emma Yates-Badley
Untitled design (31)

Israel Ministry of Defense

Israel has approved the purchase of two additional fighter jet squadrons from the United States, adding to its fleet of F-35I stealth jets and F-15IA multirole fighters in deals valued at tens of billions of shekels.

The Times of Israel reported on May 3, 2026 that a defense procurement committee made up of senior ministers approved the plan over the weekend of May 2-3, 2026.

The agreement covers a fourth F-35I squadron from Lockheed Martin and a second F-15IA squadron from Boeing.

Lessons from the Iran conflict

The procurement follows Israel’s recent 40-day conflict with Iran, known as Operation Roaring Lion. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the war demonstrated the importance of air power in protecting the country.

“The lessons of that campaign require us to keep pressing forward on force buildup, to ensure air superiority for decades to come,” Katz said.

Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram instructed the ministry’s mission to the US to move forward with finalizing agreements with American government and military counterparts. He said the deals reflect both immediate wartime needs and long-term planning.

“Alongside immediate wartime procurement needs, we have a responsibility to act now to secure the IDF’s military edge ten years from now and beyond,” Baram said. “Operation Roaring Lion reinforced just how critical the US-Israel strategic relationship is, and how essential advanced air power remains.”

Fleet expansion plans

Once delivered, the new jets will bring Israel’s F-35I fleet to 100 aircraft and its F-15IA fleet to 50.

Israel currently operates 48 F-35I jets from an initial order of 50. Another 25 were ordered in 2023, with deliveries expected to start in 2028. For the F-15IA, Israel ordered 25 jets in 2024, with the first expected to arrive starting in 2031.

The Defense Ministry said the aircraft will serve as a “cornerstone of the IDF’s long-term force development, addressing evolving regional threats and preserving Israel’s strategic air superiority.”

F-15IA vs F-15EX: What’s the difference?

The F-15IA is Israel’s variant of the F-15EX Eagle II, an advanced American multirole fighter developed by Boeing. 

The F-15EX itself is derived from the F-15 Advanced Eagle, which was originally designed for export customers like Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The aircraft features digital fly-by-wire controls, an all-glass cockpit, advanced AESA radar, and the EPAWSS electronic warfare suite. It can reach speeds of Mach 2.5, carry a payload of up to 29,500 pounds, and has a service life of over 20,000 hours.

While the core platform is the same, the F-15IA will likely include Israeli-specific modifications to avionics, weapons systems, and electronic warfare capabilities, similar to how Israel has customized its F-35I jets. The F-15EX can carry up to 12 air-to-air missiles and is capable of deploying hypersonic weapons, making it a powerful complement to Israel’s stealth aircraft in contested airspace.

IAF chief welcomes decision

Outgoing Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar said the procurement was the result of years of evaluation and planning.

“The recommendation was based on years of professional evaluation and operational necessity, from a broad perspective on force buildup and its adaptation to the evolving threats in the Middle East,” Bar said.

He added that the new squadrons would strengthen the IAF’s ability to maintain air superiority.

“The procurement is the result of close cooperation with the United States military, which intensified during Operation Roaring Lion and constitutes a strategic component of national security,” Bar said. “The new squadrons will add significant strength to the Air Force and will enable us to continue operating with determination, flexibility, and superiority against any challenge we are required to face.”

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