Israeli Air Force gets major upgrade with two new advanced fighter squadrons

Israel’s air force to get major upgrade after the Israeli government approves plan to purchase a second squadron of the new F-15IA fighter jet and a fourth squadron of F-35 stealth fighters.

By World Israel News Staff

The Israel Air Force is slated to get a major upgrade, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced on Sunday, after plans to purchase two new squadrons of fighter jets from the United States were approved.

The Defense Ministry said that the Ministerial Committee on Procurement has approved a request by the ministry to acquire a second squadron of F-15IA air superiority fighter jets and a fourth squadron of F-35 multirole stealth fighter jets.

The deals, valued at tens of billions of shekels, include full fleet integration into the Israeli Air Force, comprehensive sustainment, spare parts, and logistics support.

Israel already operates F-35 fighter jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, and has an existing order for its first squadron of F-15IA fighters from Boeing.

A variant of the F-15EX Eagle II, the F-15IA is the latest version of the venerable F-15, customized to Israel’s specific needs.

Last December, the Israel Air Force ordered its first squadron of 25 F-15AI aircraft, with an option for a second squadron.

“Operation Roaring Lion once again demonstrated the Israeli Air Force’s power and its decisive role in protecting Israel,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

“The lessons of that campaign require us to keep pressing forward on force buildup, to ensure air superiority for decades to come. The F-35 and F-15IA acquisitions are central to the ‘Shield of Israel’ plan, which is designed to give the IDF a lasting qualitative edge.”

Katz said the acquisitions are part of a broader “technological leap” for the Israel Air Force, “integrating autonomous flight capabilities, next-generation defense systems, and establishing Israeli military dominance, both defensive and offensive, in space.”

“Our mission is clear: to ensure the IDF has the tools, capabilities, and strength to operate anywhere, at any time. We will continue to invest, to grow stronger, and to stay ahead of our enemies – to keep Israel secure today and in the future.”

The Defense Ministry said the purchases are part of a decades-long buildup plan, approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz, under a dedicated 350-billion-shekel budget.

Following the committee’s approval of the acquisition plan, Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram instructed the ministry’s team in the United States to move forward with finalizing the agreements with the American government to clear the path for the purchase.

Baram said the purchases are critical for the IAF to maintain its long-term technological edge during “an intense security decade.”

“We have a responsibility to act now to secure the IDF’s military edge 10 years from now and beyond,” Baram said. “The complementary capabilities of these two squadrons will give the Israeli Air Force the flexibility to handle a broad range of combat scenarios.”