Israel gave final approval for a plan to purchase two new combat squadrons of F-35 and F-15IA advanced fighter aircraft from Lockheed Martin and Boeing in a deal worth tens of billions of shekels.

The Ministerial Committee on Procurement approved the acquisition of a fourth F-35I Adir squadron and a second F-15IA Ra'am squadron over the weekend. This move marks the first step in a 350 billion shekel ($119 billion) multi-year plan to bolster the Israel Defense Forces amid evolving regional threats.

Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram emphasized the strategic importance of the procurement. "Alongside immediate wartime procurement needs, we have a responsibility to act now to secure the IDF’s military edge ten years from now and beyond," Baram said. He noted that the recent Operation Roaring Lion against Iran reinforced the critical U.S.-Israel partnership and the need for advanced air power.

The F-35I, Israel's customized version of the stealth fighter, and the F-15IA, an advanced multi-role platform, will expand the Israeli Air Force's capabilities. The new squadrons, each comprising around 25 aircraft, will eventually double the F-35I fleet to 100 jets from the current 48 and increase the F-15IA fleet to 50 from the 25 ordered in 2024. Deliveries of the initial F-15IA jets are expected to begin in 2031, with additional F-35s from prior orders arriving starting in 2028.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the decision as enhancing Israel's air superiority. "Israel is stronger than ever, and Israel must always be much stronger than our enemies," he stated. "These aircraft strengthen Israel’s overwhelming air superiority."

Defense Minister Israel Katz linked the approval to lessons from the 40-day conflict with Iran that began on February 28. "The lessons of that campaign require us to keep pressing forward on force buildup, to ensure air superiority for decades to come," Katz said. The minister highlighted technological advances, including autonomous flight and space dominance.

Outgoing Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar described the squadrons as adding "significant strength." "The new squadrons will add significant strength to the Air Force and will enable us to continue operating with determination, flexibility, and superiority against any challenge," Bar remarked. He credited close U.S. cooperation, intensified during the Iran operation.

The procurement addresses multi-front challenges, including ongoing operations against Iranian-backed Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon since the October 7, 2023, attacks. In December 2025, Boeing secured an $8.6 billion contract for the initial 25 F-15IAs, with an option for more.

The Defense Ministry now plans to finalize agreements with U.S. counterparts. This buildup aims to preserve Israel's qualitative military edge in a volatile region.