Israel approves $119 billion deal to buy US fighter jets
Al Jazeera Staff
Israel has approved an initial phase of a 350 billion shekel ($119 billion) military procurement program, including two new squadrons of F-35 and F-15IA fighter jets from US manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Officials cite lessons from the joint US-Israel campaign against Iran and the need to maintain air superiority for a decade ahead.
Israel's Defense Ministry announced it has given final approval for a multi-billion-dollar deal to purchase two squadrons of advanced F-35 and F-15IA fighter jets from US manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
On April 6, the Israeli Government Procurement Committee signed off on the first phase of a program worth 350 billion shekels ($119 billion) aimed at strengthening the armed forces and “enhancing readiness for a challenging decade ahead for Israel's security.”
“Alongside urgent wartime procurement needs, we have a responsibility to act now to ensure military superiority for the next 10 years and beyond,” said Amir Baram, Director General of the Israeli Defense Ministry.
Baram also noted that the joint US-Israel military campaign against Iran “reinforced the importance of the US-Israel strategic relationship and advanced air power.”
Under the deal, Israel will purchase a fourth F-35 squadron from Lockheed Martin and a second F-15IA squadron from Boeing. In December 2024, Boeing received an $8.6 billion contract from Israel covering 25 new F-15IA jets with an option for 25 more.
Baram said the next step is to finalize agreements with the US government and military.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deal “bolsters Israel's overwhelming air superiority — superiority demonstrated in Operation Am KeLavi (the 12-day campaign against Iran) and now in Operation Shaagat HaAri (the ongoing campaign in Iran).” He stressed: “Our pilots are ready to go anywhere in Iranian airspace if needed.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz argued that the US-Israel campaign in Iran proved the decisive role of air power in protecting Israel. “The lessons from that campaign require us to continue pushing force building to ensure air superiority for decades to come,” he said. He added that the new jets will enable a technological leap in integrating autonomous flight capabilities, next-generation defense systems, and establishing Israel's military edge in space.
The US and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran on February 28, and a fragile ceasefire took effect April 8. The US Navy maintains a blockade of Iranian ports.
