The US State Department announced that Israel has received authorization to acquire 50 new advanced F-15 jets and upgrade part of its current fleet. The new aircraft, designated F-15IA, are based on the F-15EX, while 25 F-15Is Ra'am Strike Eagle existing ones will be upgraded to align with the F-15IA, receiving the new designation F-15I+.
The $18,82 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal, if fully approved, will involve a total of 75 F-15s.
The revitalization of Israel's F-15 fleet is an initiative that has been planned for many years, with proposed mixes of new acquisitions and upgrades changing over time. It was believed that the Israel Air Force (IAF) would choose new F-15s to its growing F-35I fleet Adirs, taking advantage of the complementary capabilities that these jets offer. All F-15 variants — F-15A/B/C/D Baz and F-15I Ra'am — remain essential elements of the Israeli air force.
The F-15s, in their various versions, have been fundamental to Israel's air force, acting as the main weapon of long-range strike, air defense, and also as advanced command and control platforms. They are capable of carrying large weapons, including ballistic missiles, over long distances.
Despite being old, the F-15 Baz airframes were adapted for ground attack tasks before the emergence of the F-15E Strike Eagle and continue to operate as versatile platforms after major upgrades. Even the F-15Is, delivered 25 years ago, remain relevant. In short, the F-15 fleet is highly valued by the Israeli Air Force.
The press release on the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) F-15IA/I+ deal also states:
“The United States is committed to Israel's security, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to help Israel develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with these objectives.”
Other arms sales to Israel announced today include:
– Up to 30 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) and associated equipment, with an estimated cost of US$102,5 million;
– Up to 32.739 120mm tank rounds and related equipment, totaling approximately US$774,1 million.;
– Up to 50.000 M933A1 120mm high-explosive mortar rounds and corresponding equipment, with an estimated cost of US$61,1 million;
– An unspecified number of M1148A1P2 family medium tactical vehicles (FMTV) and related equipment, with an estimated cost of US$583,1 million.
The new F-15s will replace the aging F-15A/B/C/D Baz, with almost 50 years of operation, and will also enhance the F-15I fleet, aligning it with the F-15IA configuration to ensure greater compatibility and during the second half of the fleet's useful life.
Now that the Biden istration has given its approval to the agreement, Congress will need to approve it as well. Some may raise objections given Israel's recent actions, but final approval is still very likely.
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