Pentagon Signs $8.6 Billion Contract for Israel’s Next-Generation F-15s

The Pentagon overnight signed an $8.6 billion contract with Boeing for the production of Israel’s next generation of F-15 fighter jets, formally moving forward one of the Israeli Air Force’s largest fighter jet purchases to date.

According to the US Department of Defense, the contract covers the design, integration, testing, production, and delivery of 25 new F-15IA aircraft for Israel, with an option for 25 additional planes. The announcement came following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting this week with US President Donald Trump in Florida, though no official link between the meeting and the contract was stated. The Pentagon said. “Work will be performed at St. Louis, Missouri and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2035.”

The Defense Department added that the agreement is being carried out under the Foreign Military Sales framework, under which the US government purchases the aircraft on Israel’s behalf using American military aid. 

While the Pentagon’s announcement marks the formal US execution of the deal, Israel’s Defense Ministry finalized the decision in November last year. Under that agreement, Israel committed to purchasing 25 advanced F-15IA aircraft manufactured by Boeing, financed through US military assistance, with an option to expand the order in the future.

The F-15IA, known in Israel as the “Ra’am Improved,” is an upgraded and modernized version of the F-15I currently in Israeli service. The aircraft are expected to incorporate advanced weapons systems, including Israeli-developed technologies, alongside enhancements designed to improve range, payload capacity, and overall operational performance.

The current US–Israel military aid agreement, which began in 2018, is set to expire in 2028, and the structure of any future agreement for U.S. assistance has not yet been determined. By moving the deal forward now, Israel locks in the aircraft while US military aid is still in place.

The signing also reflects Israel’s continued emphasis on maintaining air superiority across the region. The upgraded F-15 is valued for its long range, heavy weapons capacity, and flexibility, allowing Israel to operate effectively across a wide range of missions.