Israel announces purchase of 25 "upgraded" F-15 aircraft from Boeing

 The Israeli Defense Ministry announced Thursday that it had signed an agreement with Boeing to purchase 25 “upgraded” F-15 fighter jets, funded by US military aid to Israel.

The $5.2 billion deal includes the possibility of purchasing an additional 25 aircraft.

The ministry said in a statement that the fighter jets would be delivered in batches of four to six aircraft per year starting in 2031.

According to the ministry’s statement, the new fighter jets (F-15IA) “will be equipped with advanced weapons systems and include the integration of advanced Israeli technologies.”

“The new aircraft will feature greater range, greater payload and better performance in different operational scenarios,” it added.

For his part, the ministry’s director general, Eyal Zamir, said in the statement that Israel has received arms purchase agreements worth up to $40 billion since the start of the war with Hamas more than a year ago.

“While we are focusing on immediate needs for advanced weapons and ammunition at unprecedented levels, we are simultaneously investing in long-term strategic capabilities,” Zamir added.

According to the ministry's director general, "The F-15 squadron, along with the third F-35 purchased earlier this year, represent a historic boost to our air power and our strategic range of capabilities, which have proven their importance during the current war."

Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli Air Force has been carrying out regular airstrikes in both the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon following a surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel.

On October 26, the Israeli Air Force also carried out retaliatory strikes against Iran, hitting several military targets there.