The F-15IA will significantly strengthen Israel’s operational readiness well into the future.
By The IDF Club
The United States has moved to further strengthen Israel’s air combat capabilities, with the Pentagon announcing an $8.6 billion contract awarding Boeing the production of advanced F-15 fighter aircraft for the Israeli Air Force.
Under the agreement, Boeing will produce and deliver 25 F-15IA aircraft for the Israeli Air Force, with an option for an additional 25 jets. The contract covers the full scope of work, including design, systems integration, testing, production, and delivery.
All work will be carried out in St. Louis, Missouri, with the program scheduled to run through December 31, 2035.
“This contract underscores our commitment to Israel’s security and ensures the delivery of a proven and highly capable fighter platform,” a U.S. defense official said. “The F-15IA will significantly strengthen Israel’s operational readiness well into the future.”
The F-15IA is optimized for both air superiority and long-range strike missions. In air-to-air configurations, the aircraft can carry dense missile loads using LAU-128 launchers and is equipped with an internal M61 cannon for close-range combat and last-resort self-defense. Boeing has noted that the latest generation of the Eagle can carry up to 12 AMRAAM missiles in certain configurations.
The aircraft’s substantial payload capacity also supports a broad range of air-to-ground weapons, including multiple precision-guided munitions and standoff strike systems, while still retaining air-to-air missiles for escort and self-protection on extended missions.
The Pentagon announcement reflects the longstanding U.S. policy of supporting Israel’s qualitative military edge, particularly in the air domain, as regional threats continue to evolve.
Israel’s leadership has repeatedly emphasized that air superiority remains central to national defense. That message was reinforced last week at Hatzerim Airbase, where the Israeli Air Force graduated a new class of combat pilots during Flight Course No. 191.
Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Netanyahu underscored the enduring role of air power in Israel’s security posture.
“Israel’s air superiority in the Middle East is a foundation of our national defense,” he said, adding that Israel will continue to equip its pilots with the most advanced capabilities required to defend the country.
