US Awards Boeing $8.6B Deal for Israeli F-15 Jets
The U.S. government has awarded aerospace giant Boeing an $8.6 billion contract to manufacture new F-15 fighter jets for Israel, a move that reinforces longstanding defense ties between the two nations. The deal, announced on December 30, 2025, was first reported by Defense News in an article titled “US taps Boeing to build F-15s for Israel under $8.6 billion contract.”
The contract, disclosed by the U.S. Department of Defense, will see Boeing produce a number of advanced F-15EX aircraft destined for the Israeli Air Force (IAF) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The F-15EX is the latest iteration of the combat-proven airframe, boasting significant upgrades in avionics, radar systems, weapons capacity, and survivability. Completion is expected by the end of 2030.
The announcement marks one of the largest U.S.-Israel defense procurement deals in recent years and is part of Israel’s broader effort to modernize its air fleet in light of rising regional threats. The acquisition is also made possible through American military aid, a portion of which Israel is authorized to spend on U.S.-manufactured defense systems.
According to the Defense News article, work on the contract will be carried out at Boeing’s facilities in St. Louis, Missouri. It encompasses aircraft production, as well as the development of mission-specific systems to support the aircraft’s role within the IAF’s operational framework.
The F-15 has long served as a cornerstone of Israel’s aerial dominance in the Middle East, with the country having operated various versions of the aircraft since the mid-1970s. The newer F-15EX platform is expected to significantly enhance the IAF’s multirole capabilities, particularly with its expanded weapons payload, improved digital infrastructure, and ability to integrate with next-generation combat assets.
The move comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with Israel facing persistent threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iranian influence in Syria, and instability in the Gaza Strip. In this context, the bolstering of Israel’s air capabilities with advanced U.S. hardware sends a signal of continued strategic alignment between Washington and Jerusalem.
While both governments have refrained from specifying the precise number of aircraft to be delivered or the exact configuration, Israeli defense analysts have long anticipated the arrival of the F-15EX to complement Israel’s existing fleet of older F-15s and its growing inventory of stealthy F-35I fighters.
Boeing, which has seen renewed interest in the F-15EX from both domestic and international customers, called the contract a testament to the enduring strength of its partnership with Israel and its commitment to supporting allied defense needs with technologically advanced solutions.
The F-15EX program has gained traction within the U.S. Air Force as well, providing a cost-effective platform to bolster fighter capacity while newer sixth-generation aircraft are still in development.
This latest contract exemplifies the dual role of defense procurement as both a tool of national security and international diplomacy. For Israel, it represents a decisive step in securing air superiority for the coming decades. For the United States, it reflects continued support for a key regional ally at a time of evolving geopolitical pressures.
