Summary and Key Points: The U.S. has approved the sale of 50 new Boeing F-15EX Eagle II fighters to Israel, designated as F-15IA in the Israeli Air Force, along with 25 upgrade kits for existing F-15I Ra'am fighters.

The $18.8 billion deal includes additional equipment, such as engines and advanced radars.

This Gets Even Better: This upgrade aims to enhance Israel's military capabilities, particularly in light of growing regional tensions. In a related deal, Israel will also receive 30 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles to bolster its air defense systems.

F-15IA Heading to Israel (F-15EX, By Another Name) 

The United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced Tuesday that the U.S. State Department approved the sale to Israel of 50 new Boeing F-15EX Eagle II fighters, along with 25 upgrade kits. 

The reported value of the sale was $18.8 billion.

The kits will upgrade the Israeli Air Force's fleet of F-15I Ra'am fighters to the F-15I+ standard, Flight Global reported. The Ra'am is the Israeli variant of the F-15E Strike Eagle. The F-15EX has received the designation F-15IA with the IAF.

Boeing will be the prime contractor for the aircraft.

The deal also included 120 F110-GE-129 engines, 75 APG-82(V)1 active electronically scanned array radars, and other equipment for the aircraft, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine.

More F-15s Heading to the Middle East

Israel has expressed interest in upgrading to the F-15EX since 2018 but only issued a formal request last year.

"Incorporating F-15IAs into the Israel air force's fleet of fighter aircraft will enhance Israel's interoperability with U.S. systems and bolster Israel's aerial capabilities to meet current and future enemy threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats," the DSCA said in a statement. "Israel will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces."

In a separate deal also approved by the U.S. State Department, Israel will receive an additional 30 Raytheon AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs). That deal has been valued at $102.5 million.

"AMRAAMs are a key aerial combat capability used to defend against airborne threats, such as the missile and drone salvo launched at Israel on April 14. The proposed sale will improve Israel's capability to meet current and future enemy threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces," the agency added. "The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”

The announcements come as Israel and its allies continue to brace for an anticipated attack from Iran and its Middle Eastern proxies in retaliation for the killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders in recent weeks. While Washington and multiple European governments have called for Tehran to avoid escalation, Iranian officials have said only a Gaza cease-fire would delay its response.

In April, Iran launched more than 100 ballistic missiles, 30 land-attack cruise missiles, and some 150 drones at targets in Israel. IAF aircraft including its F-15I and F-35I Adir fighters, along with ground-based missile systems, intercepted some of the threats. The U.S. and other allies, including neighboring Jordan, helped shoot down others.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu, Defense Expert 

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

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