From the Liveblog of
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Defense Ministry signs deal to procure squadron of F-15IA fighter jets
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The Defense Ministry signed a deal yesterday to procure a squadron of F-15IA fighter jets — the Israeli variant of the advanced F-15EX.
The $5.2 billion deal includes 25 F-15IA jets, produced by Boeing, with options for 25 more. The jets are being financed by US military aid to Israel.
Under the deal, the jets will be supplied in batches of four to six a year, starting in 2031.
The Defense Ministry says that the new fighter jets 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. These advantages will enable the Israeli Air Force to maintain its strategic superiority in addressing current and future challenges in the Middle East,” the ministry says.
Eyal Zamir, the Defense Ministry director general, says that since the beginning of the war Israel has secured nearly $40 billion worth of procurement agreements.
“While focusing on immediate needs for advanced weaponry and ammunition at unprecedented levels, we’re simultaneously investing in long-term strategic capabilities. This F-15 squadron, alongside the third F-35 squadron procured earlier this year, represents a historic enhancement of our air power and strategic reach — capabilities that proved crucial during the current war,” Zamir says in a statement.
The president of Boeing Israel, Ido Nehushtan, says in a statement that “Boeing takes pride in its longstanding partnership with Israel, a relationship that dates back to our nation’s establishment.”
“The company will continue working with the US and Israeli governments to deliver the advanced F-15IA aircraft through standard military procurement channels,” he adds.
