Israel’s Ministerial Procurement Committee has approved plans to acquired additional F-35s and F-15Is that will be used to stand up a 4th Squadron of F-35I ADIR and a second F-15IA Squadron.  

The expected budget amounts to tens of billions of NIS, although details have yet to be defined. The new Squadrons are a key component of a 10-year long buildup planned for Israel’s armed forces, approved by the Prime Minister and Defense Minister under a dedicated 350-billion-NIS budget. Defense Minister Israel Katz and IMOD Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram brought the procurement before the Committee as part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to strengthen Israel’s readiness in the years to come.

Following the Committee’s approval, negotiations can now begin with the US to get to the necessary contract agreements. Israel has acquired its F-35Is, named ADIR in the country, in successive tranches, the most recent of which saw an order in July 2023 for 25 F-35A supporting the formation of a third frontline Squadron. Deliveries against this plan are expected starting in 2028. With this order, Israel’s F-35 programme of record stands at 75 F-35A.

It is expected the new order will probably involve another 25 F-35A, giving a total of 100. Israel has in the past considered the opportunity of an F-35B Squadron as well, however, with the STOVL capability seen as attractive to continue operations even should airbases and runways be seriously affected by enemy strikes.

Israel had already signed a $5.2 billion agreement for the acquisition of 25 new build F-15IA in November 2024 to create a Squadron. The agreement at the time included an option to expand the purchase to 25 additional aircraft in the future; this will now be activated, bringing the F-15IA total to 50.

The FMS Authorization agreed by the US in August 2024 has a ceiling value of over 18 billion USD as it also includes the possible acquisition of equipment to upgrade 25 existing F-15I already in use in Israel. The package authorized also included up to 120 F110-GE-129 engines; 90 Advanced Display Core Processors II; 75 APG-82(V)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar and 50 AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN navigation pods and a long list of other systems and support.

Delivery of the 25 F-15IA aircraft ordered in 2024 is due to begin in 2031, with 4-6 aircraft to be supplied annually.

Just as for the USAF, the F-15IA (a counterpart to the American EX) is a useful complement to the F-35s due to its exceptional load carrying qualities which enable it to carry massive payloads and oversize weapon systems.

In the meanwhile, Israeli’s MoD has also announced that the first new KC-46A, to be known as GIDEON in Israeli service, is now flying in the US ahead of delivery in circa 1 month time. The aircraft is the first of 6 in production for Israel.

Follow us on Telegram, Facebook and X.