Washington, D.C. , 30 December (H.S.): The United States Department of Defense awarded Boeing a landmark $8.6 billion contract on Monday for the F-15 Israel Program, encompassing the design, integration, instrumentation, testing, production, and delivery of 25 new F-15IA fighter aircraft to the Israeli Air Force, with an option for 25 additional units.
This foreign military sales agreement, structured as a hybrid cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price incentive contract, follows a high-level meeting between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, where discussions reportedly advanced on Gaza, Iran, and regional security. Work will unfold primarily at Boeing's facilities in St. Louis, Missouri, with completion anticipated by December 31, 2035.
Strategic Upgrade Amid Enduring U.S.-Israel Alliance
The F-15IA represents an Israeli-specific variant of Boeing's advanced F-15EX platform, featuring enhanced range, payload capacity, and seamless integration with indigenous munitions to maintain air superiority against evolving Middle East threats. Deliveries are slated to commence around 2031 at a rate of four to six jets annually, reinforcing Israel's fourth-generation fighter fleet amid ongoing conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran-backed proxies.
As America's foremost arms partner in the region—receiving over $3.8 billion annually in military aid—the deal underscores unwavering bipartisan support despite domestic protests urging cessation of aid over Gaza operations.
Context of Trump-Netanyahu Diplomacy and Regional Tensions
Netanyahu's fifth U.S. visit in 2025 timed with Trump's push for Gaza ceasefire phase two, including a technocratic Palestinian authority and international stabilization forces, alongside deadlines for Hezbollah disarmament and curbs on Iran's missile reconstitution post-June clashes. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators have intensified calls to halt such transfers, yet neither the Trump nor prior Biden administrations yielded, framing the jets as vital for Israel's qualitative military edge. Boeing anticipates sustained collaboration with U.S. and Israeli governments through standard procurement channels.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
