Israel signs $5.2 billion deal for 25 new F-15 fighter jets

JERUSALEM — The Israel Ministry of Defense has signed what it called a “landmark transaction” to acquire 25 more F-15 fighter aircraft in a deal worth $5.2 billion, the ministry announced today. The warplanes will be delivered beginning in 2031, and it will take around five years for them all to arrive.

The deal was widely expected and has been in the process of finalization throughout the year as Israel has been fighting a multi-front war against Iran-backed proxies in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen. Israel used F-15s in its long-range strike on Yemen in July. The US has also deployed F-15s to the region amid Israel-Iran tensions, illustrating how the Boeing-made plane, which first flew in the 1970s, is increasingly relevant today.

The deal was finalized Wednesday “following negotiations between the Israel Ministry of Defense’s Mission to the U.S. and Boeing in collaboration with the Israeli Air Force,” the Israeli MoD said in its announcement, adding that Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir signed an earlier “procurement authorization” during a visit to the US last month.

“Boeing takes pride in its longstanding partnership with Israel, a relationship that dates back to our nation’s establishment,” President of Boeing Israel Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Ido Nehushtan said. “The company will continue working with the U.S. and Israeli governments to deliver the advanced F-15IA aircraft through standard military procurement channels.” Zamir was accompanied to the signing by the head of the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s mission to the US, Aviram Hasson.

Israel has been considering a number of major aircraft and helicopter deals in recent years. The Oct. 7 attack by Hamas instilled additional urgency for some of this procurement, even though these deals take years to see aircraft delivered. In August, the US Secretary of State approved the potential Foreign Military Sale of the aircraft to Israel. At the time, the approval covered not only the 25 F-15s, but also an option to purchase 20 more of them and modification kits for F-15s Israel already operates. Should Israel pursue the full authorized deal, it would be worth $18 billion, the US said then.

The F-15 was first flown in 1972, and one- and two-seater versions were delivered to the US military throughout the 1970s. Israel acquired its first F-15s late that same decade, and they have been a mainstay of the Israeli Air Force ever since. Since 2017 Israel has been considering buying new F-15s of the F-15EX variant. The deal only gained moment in the last year and a half. In June 2024 Israel also signed an agreement to buy a third squadron of F-35s.

The agreement for the F-15s is “part of a broader package of U.S. aid approved by the U.S. Administration and Congress earlier this year,” the Israeli Ministry of Defense noted.

“The new F-15IA aircraft will be equipped with cutting-edge weapon systems, including the integration of state of the art Israeli technologies. The upgraded aircraft will feature enhanced range capabilities, increased payload capacity, and improved performance across various operational scenarios,” the Ministry added. “These advantages will enable the Israeli Air Force to maintain its strategic superiority in addressing current and future challenges in the Middle East.”

Neither Boeing or the ministry elaborated on the statement or went into details about which Israeli systems might be incorporated into the aircraft. Israel has incorporated unique systems into its F-35 Adir.

Zamir, the Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defense, praised the F-15 deal.

“We have secured procurement agreements worth nearly $40 billion (approximately NIS 150 billion) since the onset of the war. While focusing on immediate needs for advanced weaponry and ammunition at unprecedented levels, we’re simultaneously investing in long-term strategic capabilities,” he said. He noted that the new squadron of F-15s and the new third squadron of F-35s Israel agreed to buy earlier this year “represents a historic enhancement of our air power and strategic reach – capabilities that proved crucial during the current war.”

Israel’s Calcalist reported that the new jets are meant to replace aging fighters, such as legacy F-15s and F-16s.