Israel’s Ministerial Committee on Defense Procurement has approved the simultaneous acquisition of F-35 and F-15IA aircraft in quantities sufficient to form two new fighter squadrons, the Defense Ministry announced. The deal is valued at tens of billions of shekels and represents the first concrete procurement action under a broader force buildup plan spanning the coming decade.
The overarching program carries a dedicated budget of 350 billion shekels, approved by both the Prime Minister and Defense Minister. The current purchase covers not only the aircraft themselves but full squadron absorption into the Israel Air Force, comprehensive maintenance support, spare parts, and logistics infrastructure.
Acquiring both platforms simultaneously signals a deliberate dual-track strategy. The F-35I Adir provides fifth-generation stealth and sensor fusion for high-threat penetration missions, while the F-15IA — an advanced variant of the long-serving Eagle — offers superior payload capacity and range. Together they address complementary operational requirements rather than representing redundancy.
The approval comes against a backdrop of sustained regional pressure. Israel’s air arm has conducted an intensive operational tempo since October 2023, accelerating attrition of airframes, munitions, and support infrastructure. The new squadrons would rebuild depth and extend the force’s capacity to operate across multiple theaters simultaneously.
The scale of the commitment — 350 billion shekels across the decade — marks a structural shift in Israeli defense spending, moving from reactive procurement toward long-cycle force design. Whether production slots, supply chains, and US congressional approvals align with Israel’s stated timeline will determine how quickly that design translates into operational capability.
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