A massive multibillion-dollar budget that will change the face of aerial warfare has been approved. Israel is preparing to field both radar-evading stealth jets and heavily armed air superiority platforms simultaneously. The Israeli Ministry of Defense has completed the official approval process for the procurement of two new fighter squadrons worth tens of billions of shekels, a move that will fundamentally transform its air power and regional operational capability. Under this critical agreement, the Israeli Air Force will add a fourth F-35 squadron and a second F-15IA squadron to its inventory at the same time.
First Step in the Force Buildup Plan
The Cabinet Procurement Committee approved the comprehensive acquisition program submitted by the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD). This decision marks the first concrete move in the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) strategic force buildup plan, which covers the next decade and is backed by a special budget totaling 350 billion shekels.
Scope of the Agreement and Logistics Support
The plan, presented to the committee by Defense Minister Israel Katz and IMOD Director General (Ret.) Major General Amir Baram, includes a long-term timeline with Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Under the project, Israel will procure a fourth F-35 squadron from Lockheed Martin and a second F-15IA squadron from Boeing. In addition to the full integration of these next-generation jets into the Israeli Air Force inventory and comprehensive maintenance services, the contract also includes spare parts supply and a logistics support package to ensure operational continuity.
Strategic Air Superiority Goal
Officials at the Ministry of Defense stated that procuring these two new fighter squadrons with such a large budget is necessary to respond to changing regional threats and maintain the country’s strategic air superiority.
Following the committee’s approval, the IMOD Director General instructed the IMOD Mission in the United States to begin the process of finalizing contracts with the U.S. government and relevant military authorities.
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Source: C4Defence– IDF
