Boeing Awarded $8.6B for IAF F-15s

The Pentagon announced a contract valued at up to $8.6 billion for Boeing Defense, Space, and Security for a total of 25 new F-15 fighter jets for the Israeli Air Force.

The contract "provides for the design, integration, instrumentation, test, production and delivery of 25 new F-15IA aircraft for the Israeli Air Force with an option for an additional 25 F-15IA aircraft," with the work to be performed in St. Louis, Mo., and expected to be completed by year-end 2035. the Pentagon said.

The F-15IA is an advanced variant of the F-15EX fighter jet customized for service with the IAF and incorporating Israeli-developed technology, increased payload capacity for heavy weapons, fly-by-wire controls, and long-range strike capability.

The IAF currently operates a total of 66 F-15A/C and F-15I fighters, as well as several dozen F-16C/I and F-35I fighters.  

Work on the new fighter aircraft will be carried out by Boeing Defense in St. Louis, and the contract is expected to be completed by the end of 2035.

Boeing developed the F-15EX Eagle II for the U.S. Air Force – a fourth-generation of the F-15 multirole fighter, designed for air superiority, long-range strike, and homeland defense. It will feature “massive payload” capacity, advanced avionics, digital fly-by-wire controls, and enhanced electronic warfare capabilities that will complement the USAF’s stealth fighter aircraft.

The USAF plans to purchase 144 Boeing F-15EXs to replace previous (F-15C/D) versions and modernize the F-15 fleet.