The Pentagon has awarded Boeing an $8.6 billion contract to supply 25 F-15IA fighter jets to Israel, with an option to deliver an additional 25 aircraft. The deal was announced shortly after a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida.
“This contract provides for the design, integration, instrumentation, testing, production, and delivery of 25 new F-15IA aircraft for the Israeli Air Force, with an option for an additional 25 F-15IA aircraft,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
The contract falls under the U.S. foreign military sales program, highlighting America’s longstanding role as Israel’s largest arms supplier in the Middle East. Boeing will perform contract work in St. Louis, with completion scheduled by December 31, 2035.
The announcement comes amid ongoing criticism from pro-Palestinian and anti-war activists in the United States, who have repeatedly called for a reduction in U.S. military support for Israel, particularly in response to its operations in Gaza. Despite these calls, both the Trump and Biden administrations have continued military assistance to the country.
The F-15IA jets, part of Israel’s latest fighter modernization program, are designed with advanced avionics, weaponry, and combat systems to strengthen the Israeli Air Force’s capabilities. Analysts note that the contract further cements the strategic military partnership between the United States and Israel.
The optional addition of 25 more F-15IA aircraft gives Israel flexibility to expand its air force fleet based on future defense needs. The long-term contract reflects both countries’ commitment to sustaining Israel’s regional military advantage and supporting joint defense initiatives.
This deal underscores Boeing’s central role in U.S. defense manufacturing and international arms sales. Pentagon officials emphasized that contracts like these provide work for American defense industries while reinforcing U.S. alliances abroad.
The F-15IA project represents a significant boost to Israel’s aerial combat strength and aligns with its broader military modernization efforts, ensuring it maintains advanced capabilities in a volatile regional security environment.
