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“The Eagle That Never Went Down”! Why Israel Continues To Bet Big On F-15 Fighters That Are 50+ Years Old

Israel’s Defense Ministry has announced a landmark agreement to acquire a squadron of F-15IA fighter jets, an Israeli version of the advanced F-15EX, from US Defense giant Boeing. 

The deal, valued at $5.2 billion, includes the purchase of 25 F-15IA jets, with an option for an additional 25. The procurement will be funded through US military aid to Israel. 

The fighter jets will be delivered in batches of four to six a year, starting in 2031. The Israeli Defense Ministry said on November 6 that the procurement is part of Israel’s broader strategy to maintain its air superiority in the region. 

The F-15IA aircraft are equipped with cutting-edge weapon systems and will integrate state-of-the-art Israeli technologies. The upgraded jets promise enhanced range, increased payload capacity, and superior performance across diverse operational scenarios.  

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These improvements are expected to strengthen Israel’s strategic capabilities in both current and future Middle Eastern conflicts. 

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Defense Ministry Director-General Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir (sitting). Credits: Israeli MoD

Eyal Zamir, the Director-General of Israel’s Defense Ministry, said,The Ministry is executing a comprehensive strategy to enhance the IDF’s operational capabilities. Since the onset of the war, we have secured procurement agreements worth nearly $40 billion (approximately NIS 150 billion).”

He stressed that Israel is making long-term investments in its defense capabilities and addressing immediate needs for advanced weaponry and ammunition.  

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“This F-15 squadron, alongside the third F-35 squadron procured earlier this year, represents a historic enhancement of our air power and strategic reach — capabilities that proved crucial during the current war,” Zamir said. 

This deal follows the US State Department’s significant approval in August, which authorized the sale of $18 billion worth of military aid to Israel, including the F-15 fighter jet.

This approval included 50 new F-15EX jets (known as the F-15IA) and 25 upgrade kits for existing Israeli F-15Is, further strengthening Israel’s aerial defense capabilities. 

Ido Nehushtan, President of Boeing Israel and former Israel Air Force chief, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to its long-standing partnership with Israel, which dates back to the state’s founding. 

He stated that Boeing would continue collaborating with the US and Israeli governments to deliver the advanced F-15IA jets through standard military procurement channels. 

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Why F-15 Fighters?

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is widely recognized as the most formidable and advanced air force in the Middle East. With a fleet nearing 300 combat-ready fighter jets, including the cutting-edge F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft, Israel’s aerial capabilities allow it to easily achieve air superiority on the battlefield. 

Among these, the F-35IAdirstealth fighters stand out as highly customized versions of the F-35, explicitly tailored to meet Israel’s unique operational needs. Notably, Israel was the first country outside the United States to deploy the F-35 operationally. 

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To date, Israel also remains the only nation to deploy the F-35 in actual combat operations. In May 2018, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) became the first operator to deploy the F-35I Adir on offensive missions, targeting Iranian military infrastructure in Syria.

In addition to the F-35I, the IAF operates different variants of the F-15 and F-16, which are consistently upgraded to enhance their performance. However, F-15s remain the most iconic fighters for the Israel Air Force, which has zero combat losses and dozens of kills to its name.

Over the past five decades, around 125 US F-15s have been lost, mainly due to pilot errors in low-visibility conditions, ground incidents, or training accidents. This translates to an outstanding service record of less than two aircraft destroyed per 100,000 flight hours, a testament to the F-15’s durability and performance.

The F-15 Eagle first flew in 1972 and entered service in 1976. No other US fighter has flown as long and still remains in the US arsenal, particularly in a front-line capacity.

F-15: Image Vi Israeli Defense Ministry.

Though it lacks the stealth features of the F-22 Raptor and F-35, the F-15EX offers remarkable combat capabilities, especially with its unmatched payload capacity, earning it the nicknameBomb Truck.” 

Unlike the F-35, which relies on internal weapons storage to maintain its ultra-low radar cross-section (RCS) and stealth capability, the F-15EX can carry a significantly larger load of munitions externally. This external storage increases its effectiveness in offensive roles, providing Israel with heavy firepower that can be crucial in certain operational scenarios. 

While internal storage keeps the F-35 stealthy, it also limits the amount of weaponry it can carry, which can be a constraint in missions requiring substantial firepower. 

According to an earlier EurAsian Times report, the F-15EX Eagle II is engineered to carry approximately 30,000 pounds of munitions. For air superiority tasks, the F-15EX can carry up to 12 air-to-air missiles, such as the heat-seeking AIM-9 Sidewinders and AIM-120 AMRAAMs, which can engage threats beyond visual range. 

For ground attack missions, it can be loaded with around 24 air-to-ground munitions, including stand-off weapons, cruise missiles, and smart bombs. Moreover, the F-15EX is an agile fighter capable of speeds exceeding Mach 2.5 (about 2,800 mph) and an operational range of nearly 2,000 miles. This extensive range and high-speed performance make it a reliable option for Israel’s diverse mission requirements. 

Boeing advertises its F-15EX Eagle II by saying, “With a payload capacity of 29,500 lbs. (13,300 kg) – including outsized weapons – the F-15EX delivers affordable mass to address rapidly evolving threats. When this payload is combined with range, contemporary sensors, and an advanced electronic warfare suite, the F-15EX presents peer adversaries with multiple challenges both inside and outside of threat rings”.

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