Israel’s Ministry of Defense has announced its approval of a plan to acquire new fighter jet fleets from US-based defense manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Boeing in a deal valued at tens of billions of dollars. The procurement decision involves the addition of two new fleets consisting of advanced F-35 and F-15IA aircraft to the national inventory.
The ministry stated that the agreement is intended to prepare for the coming decade, which is expected to be a challenging period for Israel’s security.
This measure is reported to be a component of a comprehensive $119 billion strategic plan aimed at strengthening the military.
Under the terms of the agreement, Israel plans to procure a fourth fleet of F-35 jets from Lockheed Martin and a second fleet of F-15IA jets from Boeing. Each fleet will reportedly consist of between 25 and 30 aircraft.
Israeli fighter jets have been conducting continuous bombardment missions across Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran since October 2023.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the ministry will allocate a significant portion of the $119 billion budget to domestic ammunition production within Israel and the development of next-generation aircraft.
Israel currently meets the majority of its ammunition requirements from the US and relies on Washington’s support to sustain its military activities in neighboring territories.
The ministry noted that the newly established fleets will assist in maintaining regional strategic air superiority, which played a critical role in the Iran war that Israel and the US launched on Feb. 28.
Amir Baram, Director General of the Ministry of Defense, stated that the recent Iran war proved the importance of the strategic relationship between the US and Israel and the indispensability of advanced air power.
Baram further emphasized that, in addition to meeting the immediate requirements of the conflict, they carry a responsibility to act in the current period to secure the Israeli military’s superiority ten years into the future and beyond.
Netanyahu expressed a similar sentiment, noting that Israel must be stronger than ever and remain superior to its enemies at all times, adding that these aircraft will consolidate the country’s air superiority.
US-made Israeli fighter jets played a primary role in the neutralization of a large portion of Palestinians during the two-year process in Gaza and the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians, the majority of whom were women and children. Israeli jets have also bombed Lebanon thousands of times as part of ongoing clashes with Hezbollah, resulting in civilian casualties.
The process for the new aircraft acquisitions is being conducted during a period in which the US continues to send military equipment to Israel in preparation for potential new waves of operations against Iran and Lebanon.
The Ministry of Defense announced that two cargo ships carrying 6,500 tons of military equipment and ammunition from Washington, along with numerous aircraft, arrived in the country on April 30.
The cargo ships, which arrived at the ports of Haifa and Ashdod, reportedly carried thousands of air and ground munitions, military trucks, and JLTV-type armored combat vehicles.
Director General Baram stated that these procurement operations will intensify and continue in the coming weeks. The ministry shared data indicating that since the start of the war with Iran on Feb. 28, a total of more than 115,600 tons of military equipment has been delivered to Israel via 403 flights and 10 sea voyages.