On Tuesday, August 13, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) published the U.S. Department of State’s approvals for the potential sale of an arms package to Israel, the majority of which involves 50 new Boeing F-15IA Eagle multirole aircraft and upgrades for 25 F-15I+ aircraft. The total value of all the packages is estimated at nearly 20.341 billion USD.
F-15IA and F-15I+
F-15EX Eagle II / Photo: Ilka Cole, USAF
The first approval concerns the sale of 50 brand-new F-15IA (Israeli Advanced) multirole aircraft, 25 upgrade packages for Israel’s F-15I Ra’am to the F-15I+ standard, 120 F110-GE-129 turbofan engines, 90 Advanced Display Core Processors II mission computers, 75 APG-82(V)1 AESA radars, 50 AAQ-13 LANTIRN navigation pods with containers, 320 LAU-128 missile launchers for AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, 25 M61A Vulcan onboard cannons, and 180 satellite and inertial navigation kits with M-Code encryption.
The government in Tel Aviv also requested CAD/PAD flare and chaff dispensers, Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS), APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders, KIV-77 Mode 4/5 IFF systems, AN/PYQ-10 cryptographic module keys (SKL), chaff cartridges, flares, and chaff, as well as integration and testing support, aircraft and ammunition support equipment, encrypted communication, precision navigation and cryptographic devices, development, delivery, and support for classified software, spare parts, consumables, and accessories, repair and return support, major and minor modifications, operational and infrastructure support, transportation support, classified publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, warranties, studies and surveys, engineering, technical and logistical support services from the U.S. government and contractor (Boeing), and other related logistics and program support elements. The estimated total cost is 18.82 billion USD. The expected start of deliveries is 2029.
On April 1 of this year, the American magazine Politico reported, citing sources in Congress, that President Joe Biden’s administration was considering selling up to 50 F-15EX Eagle II aircraft to Israel (which will likely be designated as F-15IA after modifications). The request to the relevant congressional committees was reportedly submitted in February of this year.
As reported by the industry portal Breaking Defense on January 19, 2023, and subsequently by The Jerusalem Post on January 21, 2023, the Israeli government requested the option to purchase 25 F-15EX Eagle II aircraft, which would be designated F-15IA (Israel Advanced), with the possibility of increasing the order to 50 (they also requested upgrades for 25 F-15I Ra’am aircraft). Israel’s interest in the latest variant of the F-15 dates back to November 2018.
Meanwhile, on May 28 of this year, Israel ordered an additional 25 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II multirole aircraft in the Israeli F-35I Adir version, which will join the 50 previously contracted.
The F-15EX Eagle II has a payload capacity of 13,381 kg (up to 12 missiles of various classes) and is powered by two F110-GE-129 engines (previous American F-15s were powered by Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 engines). The cockpit features the ADCPII mission computer, which has been tested since 2016 and is capable of performing 87 billion operations per second. The aircraft is also equipped with the new digital electronic warfare system, EPAWSS (Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System).
So far, the only user of the F-15EX Eagle II is the U.S. Air Force (USAF), where the status of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was announced on July 10 of this year. To date, 8 out of the 12 units from the initial trial batch have been delivered. The USAF currently plans to purchase a total of 98 units (down from the originally declared 144), with 48 already ordered.
The next export customer will be Indonesia, which is interested in acquiring 24 F-15IDN aircraft. During last year’s MSPO 2023 in Kielce, a Boeing representative informed the editorial team of MILMAG Magazine about the offer of the F-15EX Eagle II aircraft made to Poland.
AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM
Photo: Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston, USAF
The second request concerns 30 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) missiles, along with one guidance section for them.
The package also includes the following non-MDE (Major Defense Equipment) items: additional guidance sections and transport containers, built-in equipment for testing and reprogramming munitions (CMBRE), adapters for ADU-891/E computer test sets, spare parts, consumables, accessories, repair and return support, classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation, delivery and support of classified software, support and auxiliary equipment for munitions, test support and auxiliary equipment, personnel training and training equipment, warranties, studies and surveys, logistical support services from the contractor (RTX Corporation), engineering, technical, and logistical support services from the U.S. government and the contractor, as well as other related logistical and program support elements. The estimated total cost is 102.5 million USD. The missiles will be factory new.
The AIM-120C-8 variant was developed under the F3R (Form, Fit, Function Refresh) modernization program for the AIM-120C-7 variant. This program involved replacing some components with equivalent commercial off-the-shelf parts while maintaining the same combat capabilities as its predecessor. As part of the F3R program, engineers used model-based systems engineering designs and other digital technologies to upgrade several circuit boards and advanced processors in the missile’s guidance section and to re-host older software in the AIM-120C-8.
The first test of the AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM, launched from an American Boeing F-15C Eagle air superiority fighter, was conducted on September 1, 2023. In addition to Israel, other countries that have decided to purchase the AIM-120C-8 include Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Poland. Romania is expected to join this list soon.
Of the more than 12,000 AMRAAM missiles produced, approximately 5,000 have been launched, mostly during tests and exercises. In combat operations, these missiles have been credited with shooting down over 13 aircraft. AMRAAM missiles are also part of the armament of the NASAMS short- and medium-range air defense systems, which are currently being used in combat by Ukraine.
Tank ammunition
M1147 AMP / Image: Northrop Grumman
M830A1 HEAT-MP-T / Photo: FAS
The third request concerns 32,739 rounds of 120 mm x 570 programmable M1147 AMP (Advanced Multi-Purpose) HEAT-MP-T (High Explosive, Multipurpose, Tracer) tank ammunition, or the same number of older M830A1 HEAT-MP-T (High Explosive Anti-Tank-Multi Purpose-Tracer)/MPAT (Multi-Purpose with Tracer) rounds.
The package also includes the following non-MDE (Major Defense Equipment) items: other 120 mm x 570 tank rounds (the type and quantity were not specified), transport containers for tank ammunition, payment of transportation costs, publications and technical documentation, engineering, technical, and logistical services from the U.S. government and contractors (General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems and Northrop Grumman Defense Systems), and other related logistical and program support elements. The estimated total cost is 774.1 million USD. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027.
Earlier, on December 9, 2023, Israel received approval to purchase 13,981 M830A1 HEAT-MP-T rounds for a maximum of $106.5 million.
The M1147 AMP HEAT-MP-T is a next-generation ammunition developed by Northrop Grumman, designed to replace four older rounds: the M830, M830A1, M908 HE-OR-T, and M1028 canister cartridges. It is intended for engaging personnel, light fortifications (such as 20-cm reinforced concrete walls), and lightly to moderately armored targets, capable of using airburst mode, where the round detonates in the air at a programmed distance from the target.
The M830A1 HEAT-MP-T, a successor to the M830, measures 984 mm in length and weighs 22.3 kg. It is filled with 19 perforated hexagonal grains of JA-2 double-base propellant (nitrate ester fuel: 59.5% nitrocellulose, 14.9% nitroglycerin, 24.8% diethylene glycol dinitrate, and 0.8% other components). The round includes an M129 primer and an M774 fuze with an M69 electric detonator. The shaped-charge projectile weighs 11.4 kg and has a length of 774 mm.
The Israeli Ground Forces (Zro’a ha-Yabasha) have around 330 Merkava Mk4 tanks (220 of which are in storage), 160 Merkava Mk3 tanks (570 in storage), and 370 Merkava Mk2 tanks in storage. On September 20 of this year, the first tanks in the latest Merkava Mk5 Barak version entered service.
Mortar ammunition
M933 / Photo: Collective Awareness to UXO
The fourth request concerns 50,000 M933A1 120mm high-explosive mortar rounds with M783 fuzes. Previously, Israel had requested 400 rounds of this type for 0.41 million USD. Now, the number has increased to 50,400 rounds. The package also includes publications, technical documentation, engineering, technical, and logistical services from the U.S. government and the contractor (General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc., Quebec, Canada), studies and surveys, and other related logistical and program support elements. The estimated total cost is 61.1 million USD. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2026.
Earlier, on July 29 of this year, the Israeli company Elbit Systems announced that it had received a two-year order from the Israeli Ministry of Defense valued at approximately $190 million (751.45 million PLN) (the Ministry of Defense of Israel reports a value of over $220 million/870.09 million PLN) for the delivery of a new batch of thousands of 120mm precision mortar rounds, known as Iron Sting.
Israel uses Keshet (Cardom) and Hanit (SPEAR) mortars, mounted respectively on tracked M113 Bardehlas and wheeled HMMWV platforms in support of infantry units.
M1148A1P2 FMTV LHS
M1148A1P2 FMTV LHS / Photo: Oshkosh Corporation
The fifth request concerns an undisclosed number of 8-ton Oshkosh M1148A1P2 trucks from the FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles) series, equipped with the LHS (Load Handling System). Previously, Israel had requested an undisclosed number of these modified vehicles for a maximum of 62.4 million USD. Now, additional vehicles have been requested, including cabin armor kits (Armor B-Kit), corrosion protection, special tools and test equipment, integration and test support, spare and repair parts, software delivery and support, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, engineering, technical, and logistical services from the U.S. government and the contractor (Oshkosh Corporation), storage, and other related logistical and program support elements. The estimated total cost is 583.1 million USD. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2026.