Israel on Sunday announced approval of a multi-billion-dollar agreement to purchase two combat squadrons of fighter jets from the United States, marking a significant boost to its air force capabilities.
According to the defence ministry, the deal includes one squadron of F-35 multi-role stealth fighters manufactured by Lockheed Martin, alongside another squadron of F-15IA aircraft produced by Boeing.
The acquisition is part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening Israel’s long-term aerial dominance. Defence Minister Israel Katz said the move is central to national security planning.
“The plan aims to “ensure Israel’s air superiority for decades to come,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.
He further explained the strategic importance of the procurement, adding, “The F-35 and F-15IA acquisitions are central to the ‘Shield of Israel’ plan, which is designed to give the IDF (Israeli military) a lasting qualitative edge.
“Our mission is clear: to ensure the IDF has the tools, capabilities, and strength to operate anywhere, at any time,” Katz added.
The F-35, developed through a multinational programme led by the United States, is regarded as one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world. Israel already operates several units of the aircraft.
The country’s air force has played a major role in recent military operations, particularly during the war in Gaza, where it conducted extensive bombing campaigns.
Those strikes targeted locations Israel identified as Hamas positions, including tunnel networks, command centres and rocket launch sites.
However, the attacks also resulted in widespread destruction across the densely populated enclave, damaging homes, hospitals and schools.
In parallel, Israel has been involved in two conflicts with Iran within a year, using its air power for long-range strikes deep into Iranian territory.
Israeli authorities have described those operations as precise actions aimed at weakening Iran’s strategic military infrastructure, while Iranian officials have reported repeated air raids on major cities and industrial sites.
The purchase comes shortly after Israel approved its 2026 national budget, which includes a significant increase in defence spending worth billions of dollars.
Military expenditure has been rising steadily since the Gaza conflict began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
In addition to its recent weeks-long war with Iran, fought alongside its ally the United States, Israel continues to battle the Iran-backed Islamist movement Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
