12 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 3
A ministerial procurement committee approved plans for a fourth Lockheed Martin F-35 squadron and second Boeing F-15IA squadron, under a NIS 350 billion decade-long force buildup.
The deals, worth tens of billions of shekels, include integration, sustainment, spare parts and logistics, as annual defence spending has risen to nearly NIS 150 billion.
Israel said lessons from October 7 and two Iran wars drove the move, while US-facing negotiations now begin and deliveries could stretch into the early or mid-2030s.
Can Israel's economy sustain this record defense budget aimed at achieving total military dominance in the region?
How will doubling its most advanced fighter jets redraw the map of power and alliances in the Middle East?
Is the new Greece-Israel defense pact the start of a regional shield against Iranian and Turkish influence?
Doubling Israel’s Fighter Fleet: 25 New F-15IAs and 100 F-35Is Drive Regional Military Shift
Overview
In response to heightened regional threats and operational needs, Israel signed a $5.2 billion contract in 2024 to acquire 25 F-15IA fighter jets, with deliveries starting in 2031. The 12-day war with Iran in 2025 highlighted the critical role of stealthy F-35I jets and the need for heavy-payload F-15IAs, driving a broader plan to expand Israel's fleet to 100 F-35Is and 50 F-15IAs. This buildup is supported by a $39 billion defense budget increase in 2026 and substantial U.S. military aid. The ongoing conflict since early 2026 has intensified military supply flows and triggered regional reactions, including Iran downing an Israeli jet and cautious Arab state neutrality, while the U.S. deployed forces to support Israel.