Israel to Purchase Two Squadrons of F-35 and F-15 Jets from the US

Israel on Sunday announced the approval for purchasing two new squadrons of US F-35I and F-15IA fighter jets.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense said on LinkedIn, “The Ministerial Committee on Procurement has approved the plan to simultaneously acquire two new fighter squadrons: a fourth F-35 squadron from Lockheed Martin, and a second F-15IA squadron from Boeing.”

It added, “The deals, valued at tens of billions of NIS (New Israel Shekel), include full fleet integration into the Israeli Air Force, comprehensive sustainment, spare parts, and logistics support.”

The ministry noted the development as the first step in executing the Israeli Defense Force’s decade-long force buildup plan, which was approved by the Prime Minister and Defense Minister under a dedicated 350-billion-NIS budget.

Defense Minister Israel Katz and the Defense Ministry’s Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram presented the procurement plan to the committee as part of the ministry’s broader strategy to strengthen readiness ahead of a demanding decade for Israeli security.

The new squadrons will serve as a cornerstone of the IDF’s long-term force development, addressing evolving regional threats and preserving Israel’s strategic air superiority, the ministry added. (EIR)