This article summarizes reporting by Reuters.

Pentagon Awards Boeing $8.6 Billion Contract for Israeli F-15IA Jets

The United States Department of Defense has officially awarded The Boeing Company a contract with a ceiling of $8.6 billion for the production of F-15IA fighter jets for Israel. Announced on December 29, 2025, the deal solidifies a long-term commitment to modernizing the Israeli Air Force (IAF) with advanced heavy-lift capabilities.

According to reporting by Reuters, the agreement covers the design, production, and delivery of 25 new F-15IA Commercial-Aircraft, with options that could eventually bring the total fleet to 50 jets. The contract is scheduled to run through December 31, 2035, with initial deliveries expected to commence in 2031.

This announcement comes at a pivotal moment in U.S.-Israel relations, following a high-profile meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida. The acquisition is framed by defense officials as a critical step in maintaining Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME) in the Middle East.

Contract Details and Financial Scope

While the Israeli Ministry of Defense initially announced a $5.2 billion signing for the first tranche of jets in late 2024, the Pentagon’s newly released figures reflect a significantly higher Contracts ceiling.

Understanding the $8.6 Billion Figure

The $8.6 billion valuation represents the maximum potential value of the Foreign Military-Aircraft Sales (FMS) agreement. Based on data from the Pentagon announcement, this figure accounts for:

• The production of the initial 25 F-15IA aircraft.
• An option for an additional 25 aircraft.
• Non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs for integrating proprietary Israeli systems.
• Long-term support, instrumentation, and inflation adjustments over the decade-long timeline.

Work will be performed primarily at Boeing’s facility in St. Louis, Missouri. The production schedule anticipates a delivery rate of four to six jets per year starting in 2031.

Technical Specifications: The “Ra’am II”

The F-15IA (Israel Advanced), often referred to as the “Ra’am II,” is a customized variant of the F-15EX Eagle II. It is designed to operate as a “bomb truck” alongside the stealthy F-35I “Adir.”

Payload and Range

According to Boeing specifications referenced in the reporting, the F-15IA features an unmatched weapon carriage capacity of 29,500 lbs (13,300 kg). This payload allows the aircraft to carry heavy munitions, such as “bunker-buster” bombs and future hypersonic missiles, which the F-35 cannot carry internally.

The aircraft boasts a range of approximately 3,900 km (2,400 miles) when equipped with external fuel tanks. Defense analysts cite this range as essential for potential long-range strike missions against distant targets.

Israeli Customizations

The IAF variant will differ significantly from the standard U.S. Air Force F-15EX. Key integrations include:

• Avionics: A “glass cockpit” with large area displays and the AN/APG-82(V)1 AESA radar.
• Electronic Warfare: Indigenous Israeli EW systems designed to counter advanced air defense networks like the S-300 and S-400.
• Weapons Integration: Certification for Israeli-made munitions, including the Python and Derby air-to-air missiles and SPICE guided bombs.

Geopolitical Context

The finalization of this contract occurs against a backdrop of heightened regional tension. Sources indicate the deal was expedited following the “June 2025 War,” a brief conflict involving Israel, the U.S., and Iran that reportedly damaged Iranian military infrastructure.

President Trump has publicly supported the acquisition as a deterrent against the rebuilding of hostile nuclear capabilities. In a statement following his meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, the President emphasized a “hell to pay” stance regarding regional disarmament, reinforcing the U.S. commitment to supplying offensive weaponry despite protests from anti-war groups regarding the humanitarian toll of recent conflicts.

AirPro News Analysis

The Strategic “High-Low” Mix

The procurement of the F-15IA highlights a shift in air power strategy. While the F-35I provides stealth to penetrate sophisticated air defenses, it is limited by its internal weapons bay. The F-15IA serves as the heavy hitter in this equation. By networking these two platforms, the IAF creates a “high-low” mix where the F-35 acts as a forward sensor and target designator, while the F-15IA delivers the massive ordnance required to destroy fortified underground facilities.

Furthermore, the 2035 completion date signals a structural U.S. commitment to Israeli security that extends well beyond any single presidential administration. This contract effectively locks in industrial cooperation and logistical support for the next two decades.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the F-15IA jets arrive in Israel?
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2031 and continue through 2035.

How does the F-15IA differ from the F-35?
The F-35 is a stealth aircraft designed to evade radar, while the F-15IA is a non-stealth air superiority fighter optimized for heavy payloads, long range, and speed.

What is the total cost of the deal?
The Deliveries ceiling is $8.58 billion, though the initial funded portion signed in 2024 was $5.2 billion. The final cost depends on whether Israel exercises the option for the second batch of 25 jets.

Sources: Reuters, The Jerusalem Post, Boeing, Israeli Ministry of Defense