Israel is still betting on the American F-35 and F-15.
On May 3, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that the country will acquire a fourth squadron of F-35 Jsf fighters produced by Lockheed Martin and a second squadron of Boeing F-15IA fighters. This is “a massive enhancement of the air power of the Israel Defense Forces following the campaign against Iran,” notes Breaking Defense.
At the moment, the ministry has not specified the financial details. What is known is that the plan – worth tens of billions of dollars – is part of a long-term strengthening plan to reinforce Israel’s air superiority. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that much of this increase in the defense budget will be allocated to ammunition production in Israel, making it independent from foreign countries. Israel, he emphasized, will also develop “revolutionary” aircraft.
Produced by Lockheed Martin Corp, the F-35 is the fifth-generation Jsf fighter that Israel has adopted in the customized “Adir” version. The country is also the only one in the Middle East to operate them. At the end of 2023, the United States accelerated the upgrades of the capabilities of Israeli F-35 fighters after the Hamas attack on October 7.
With each squadron composed of 25 new combat aircraft, the deal would equip Jerusalem with one of the largest fleets in the world of both fifth-generation stealth F-35s, produced by Lockheed Martin, and F-15EX, produced by Boeing and marketed in Israel as F-15IA, comments Breaking Defense again.
THE VALUE OF THE AGREEMENT
The agreement, approved by the Israeli ministerial procurement committee, represents a first step in a 350 billion shekel (119 billion dollar) plan to strengthen the Israeli armed forces and “improve operational readiness in view of a challenging decade for Israel’s security,” reads the statement from the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
The ministry added that the new squadrons will constitute a fundamental pillar for the long-term development of the armed forces, addressing regional threats and preserving Israel’s strategic air superiority. As Reuters recalls, last December, the American aerospace giant Boeing secured an $8.6 billion contract with Israel, including 25 new F-15IA and an option for another 25.
THE COUNTRY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE JSF PROGRAM
Israel was the first country outside the United States to acquire the F-35. In May 2018, its air force chief stated that Israel was the first to use the aircraft in combat.
The country had already ordered a third squadron of F-35I in July 2023, composed of 25 new aircraft purchased for 3 billion dollars in American aid funds and whose delivery is expected starting from 2028. With the acquisition of the third F-35 squadron, Israel’s total orders reached 75 aircraft, of which 48 are currently operational.
In particular, with the arrival of the fourth squadron, the number of F-35I in Israel’s inventory will rise to about 100, double the number currently owned, emphasizes Defense News.
THE ISRAELI STRATEGY
“Beyond the immediate wartime supply needs, we have the responsibility to act now to ensure the military advantage of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ten years and beyond,” said the ministry’s Director General, Amir Baram, referring to the Israel Defense Forces.
The recent war with Iran “has reaffirmed how crucial the strategic relationship between the United States and Israel is and how essential an advanced air power remains,” he added.
“Our pilots can reach any point in the skies over Iran and are ready to do so if necessary. We have incredible aircraft and incredible pilots,” Netanyahu declared. “Regarding the strengthening: we are acquiring two squadrons of advanced aircraft: the F-35 and the F-15IA. These aircraft consolidate Israel’s overwhelming air superiority, a superiority demonstrated in Operation Rising Lion and now in Operation Roaring Lion.”
