Bombshell
Israel Will Buy 25 F15 Fighter Jets
According to the Pentagon, the contract covers the design, integration, testing, production, and delivery of 25 new F-15IA aircraft for the Israeli Air Force. The agreement includes an option for Israel to purchase an additional 25 aircraft later.
The U.S. Department of Defense announced Monday that Boeing has been awarded an $8.6 billion defense contract to produce advanced F-15 fighter jets for Israel, marking one of the largest recent U.S.–Israel arms deals.
According to the Pentagon, the firm-fixed-price contract covers the design, integration, testing, production, and delivery of 25 new F-15IA aircraft for the Israeli Air Force. The agreement also includes an option for Israel to purchase an additional 25 aircraft at a later stage.
The contract was announced shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida. Pentagon officials said the deal is being carried out under the Foreign Military Sales framework, continuing the longstanding U.S. policy of serving as Israel’s primary military supplier.
Work on the aircraft will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to continue through December 31, 2035.
The F-15IA is a customized version of Boeing’s F-15 platform, adapted to Israeli operational requirements and expected to significantly enhance the Israeli Air Force’s long-range strike, air superiority, and payload capabilities. The aircraft are intended to complement Israel’s existing fighter fleet amid ongoing regional tensions.
The announcement comes as pro-Palestinian and anti-war activists across the United States continue to call for an end to U.S. military support for Israel, citing Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Those demands, however, have not led to policy changes under either the current Trump administration or the previous Biden administration.
The Pentagon emphasized that the contract reflects long-standing defense cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem. U.S. officials have repeatedly described Israel as a key strategic ally in the Middle East.
The F-15 deal follows additional recent defense contracts tied to Israel. In mid-December, the Pentagon announced a separate $12.93 million contract with Colt’s Manufacturing Company to produce M4A1 carbine rifles and related equipment for the Israeli military. That project is being carried out in West Hartford, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2026.
Together, the agreements underscore the continued scale and depth of U.S.–Israel military cooperation, even as the broader regional conflict and domestic political debate over arms transfers remain highly charged.