In a significant defense procurement announcement, the US Department of War has granted Boeing an $8.6 billion contract to manufacture a fleet of F-15IA fighter jets specifically configured for the Israeli Air Force. The revelation came shortly after a joint press conference between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Palm Beach, Florida.
The comprehensive agreement encompasses the design, integration, instrumentation, testing, production, and delivery of 25 new F-15IA aircraft, with a contractual provision for an additional 25 units. This follows a previous November 2024 agreement valued at $5.2 billion for an equivalent number of aircraft.
The F-15IA represents a specialized variant of the classic F-15 platform, engineered to meet Israel’s unique operational requirements. This advanced aircraft is intended to replace Israel’s aging ‘Ra’am’ fleet. According to US Air Force specifications, the F-15IA is capable of maintaining air supremacy and outperforming any contemporary adversary aircraft.
Technical specifications highlight its exceptional capabilities, including a high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing-loading that provide superior maneuverability. The aircraft’s sophisticated radar and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system position it among the world’s most advanced fighter jets, with a maximum speed reaching 1,875 mph.
Production will be conducted at Boeing’s St. Louis, Missouri facility, with deliveries projected for completion by 2035. The United States continues to dominate as the primary global supplier of tactical fighter jets, having previously customized F-15 variants for Japan, South Korea, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
The contract announcement coincided with diplomatic discussions between Trump and Netanyahu regarding Gaza ceasefire negotiations. President Trump expressed unequivocal support for Israel’s leadership, describing Netanyahu as a ‘wartime prime minister at the highest level’ and emphasizing that ‘with most other leaders, Israel would not exist.’
When questioned about Israel’s military actions in Gaza, where over 71,000 casualties have been reported since October 2023 using US-supplied aircraft and weaponry, Trump stated he had no concerns about Israel’s decisions, asserting that Israel had ‘lived up to the plan 100 percent.’