Israel’s Ministerial Committee on Procurement has given final approval to a plan to buy two new combat squadrons of advanced fighter aircraft, the defence ministry said on Sunday, in a deal worth tens of billions of dollars.
Under the agreement, Israel will purchase a fourth squadron of F-35 jets from Lockheed Martin and a second squadron of F-15IA fighters from Boeing. The defence ministry described the deal as the first step in a 350 billion shekel (about US$119 billion) plan to bolster the military and “strengthen readiness ahead of a demanding decade for Israeli security.”
In December, Boeing was awarded a US$8.6 billion Israeli contract for 25 F-15IA aircraft with an option for 25 more.
Defence ministry director general Amir Baram said the recent war with Iran “reinforced just how critical the US-Israel strategic relationship is, and how essential advanced air power remains.” He added that the new squadrons would “serve as a cornerstone of the military’s long-term force development” and address regional threats over the next decade.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Iranian conflict had demonstrated the air force’s “decisive role in protecting Israel” and that the new aircraft would deliver “a significant technological leap in integrating autonomous flight capabilities, next-generation defence systems, and establishing Israeli military dominance in space.”
The procurement decision was finalised four weeks into the US-Israel ceasefire with Iran that took effect on April 8, ending an eight-week bombing campaign that began on February 28. The US Navy continues to maintain a blockade of Iranian ports while talks proceed.
Israeli aircraft have also conducted strikes on Iranian-backed Hamas militants in Gaza and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. Baram said finalising the agreements with the US government and military counterparts would be the next step.
Source: Ada Derana — citing Reuters.
