On Sunday, May 3, 2026, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that its Military Procurement Committee had approved a plan for the simultaneous purchase from the United States of two squadrons of Lockheed Martin F-35I Adir and Boeing F-15IA Eagle II multirole aircraft, 25 of each type. As a result, the Israeli Air Force (Heyl HaAvir) will increase its F-35I fleet to 100 aircraft, across four squadrons, and its F-15IA fleet to 50 aircraft, across two squadrons.
Visualization of F-15IA / Image: Boeing
The agreements, estimated at tens of billions of new Israeli shekels (NIS), will include full integration of the fleet with the Israeli Air Force, comprehensive maintenance, spare parts, and logistics support. This is the first step in implementing a decade-long plan to expand the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz as part of a special budget of 350 billion NIS.
Defense Minister Israel Katz and the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram, presented the Military Procurement Committee with a comprehensive procurement plan as part of the Defense Ministry’s broader strategy to strengthen combat readiness ahead of a challenging decade for Israel’s security. The new squadrons will form the foundation for the long-term development of the Israel Defense Forces, addressing evolving regional threats and maintaining Israel’s strategic air superiority.
Following the committee’s approval, Director General Baram instructed the Israel Ministry of Defense Mission to the U.S. to finalize agreements with the U.S. government and industry partners in the coming period.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said:
“Operation Roaring Lion once again demonstrated the Israeli 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. The F-35 and F-15IA acquisitions are central to the ‘Shield of Israel’ plan, which is designed to give the IDF a lasting qualitative edge. As part of this plan, the Israeli Air Force will be expected to lead a major technological leap – integrating autonomous flight capabilities, next-generation defense systems, and establishing Israeli military dominance, both defensive and offensive, 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.”
IMOD Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram:
“The approval of this procurement is the first major step in executing the 350-billion-NIS force buildup plan for an intense security decade ahead. 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. Operation Roaring Lion reinforced just how critical the U.S.-Israel strategic relationship is, and how essential advanced air power remains. The complementary capabilities of these two squadrons will give the Israeli Air Force the flexibility to handle a broad range of combat scenarios. The Israel Ministry of Defense will continue leading procurement processes with responsibility and long-term vision, ensuring the defense establishment is ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.”
Photos: Heyl HaAvir
Israel currently operates 48 of the 50 F-35I Adir aircraft ordered under the first two batches, with the delivery of the three latest aircraft taking place on January 18 this year. They are operated by two squadrons: the 140th “Golden Eagle,” which achieved operational capability on December 6, 2017, and the 116th “Lions of the South,” which achieved operational capability on August 6, 2020, at Nevatim Air Base. Meanwhile, on June 4, 2024, a further 25 F-35Is were ordered for around 3 billion USD; these will equip the third operational squadron, the 117th “First Jet.” In total, with the planned agreement, Israel is therefore expected to operate 100 aircraft of this type.
On March 4 this year, an Israeli F-35I made its combat debut with its first confirmed air-to-air victory, against an Iranian Yak-130 trainer/light combat aircraft, NATO reporting name Mitten, in the Tehran area. Since last year, these aircraft have been used in the new “Beast” configuration as de facto tactical bombers.
As for the F-15IA, or Israel Advanced, which is a variant of the latest F-15EX Eagle II, Israel does not yet operate these aircraft. The first batch of 25 aircraft, worth 5.2 billion USD, was signed on November 7, 2024, while the U.S. Department of Defense tasked Boeing with starting work on December 29, 2025. Deliveries are to be carried out in 2031–2035 at a rate of four to six aircraft per year, replacing the oldest F-15A/C Eagles; 2029 had previously been expected. The delivery schedule for the second squadron will become clear when the contract is concluded.
Interestingly, in connection with the first package of 25 F-15IAs on August 13, 2024, Israel also requested another 25 F-15IAs – whose purchase has now been announced – as well as an upgrade package for its existing 25 F-15I Ra’am aircraft to the F-15I+ standard, with the entire package estimated at up to 18.82 billion USD.
Apart from Israel, only the United States has decided to purchase the F-15EX Eagle II, while Indonesia has withdrawn from a planned acquisition of 24 F-15IDNs. The aircraft are also being offered to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Poland. Meanwhile, under the draft National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027, President Donald Trump’s administration requested the purchase of 24 additional F-15EX Eagle IIs, and 145 more in subsequent years, which would increase the total number to 267, compared with 98 ordered so far and 27 delivered.
שתי טייסות קרב חדשות לצה״ל: ועדת השרים להצטיידות אישרה את תכנית משרד הביטחון וצה״ל לרכש שתי טייסות קרב חדשות מסוג F35 ו-F15IA, בהיקף של עשרות מיליארדי ש"ח
להמשך קריאה בנושא: https://t.co/r8t3p6GGRb
צילומים: לוקהיד מרטין ובואינג pic.twitter.com/8GoqxkWOk0
— משרד הביטחון (@MoDIsrael) May 3, 2026
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