Israel OKs purchase of F-35 & F-15IA jets

Jerusalem: Israel gave final approval for a plan to purchase two new combat squadrons of F-35 and F-15IA advanced fighter aircraft from Lockheed Martin and Boeing in a deal worth billions of dollars, the defence ministry said on Sunday. The deal, appro­v­ed by Israel’s Ministerial Committee on Procurement, is a first step in a 350 billion shekel ($119 billion) plan to bolster Israel’s military and “strengthen readiness ahead of ​a demanding decade for Israeli security,” it said.

It added the new squadrons will ⁠serve as a cornerstone of the military’s long-term force development, addressing regional threats and preserving Israel’s strategic air ​superiority. “Alongside imme­diate wartime procurement needs, we have a responsibility to act now to secure the IDF’s military edge ​ten years from now and beyond,” said ministry director general Amir Baram, referring to the Israel Defence Forces.

The recent war with Iran “reinforced just how critical the US-Israel strategic relationship is, and how essential advanced air power remains,” he added. Under the deal, ​Israel would buy a fourth F-35 squadron from Lockheed Martin and a second squadron of F-15IA fighter ​jets from Boeing. In December, Boeing was given an $8.6 billion contract for Israel, including 25 new F-15IAs and an option for 25 more. 

Defence Minister Israel Katz said ​the Iranian conflict demonstrated the ​air force’s power and ⁠its decisive role in protecting Israel. “The lessons of that campaign require us to keep pressing forward on force buildup, to ensure air superiority for decades to ​come,” he said.

Katz said the new aircraft would lead to a significant technological leap in integrating autonomous flight capabilities, next-generation defe­n­ce systems, and establishing Israeli military dominance in space. “Our mission ⁠is ​clear: to ensure the IDF has the tools, capabilities, and stren­gth ​to operate anywhere, at any time. We will continue to invest, to grow stronger, and to stay ahead of our enemies — ​to keep Israel secure today and in the future,” Katz added. —Agencies