Boeing has secured a major defense contract to produce advanced F-15 Eagle combat aircraft for the Israeli Air Force. The contract, announced by the United States Department of Defense on 31 December, is valued at USD 8.58 billion and falls under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The agreement spans a 10-year period, with work scheduled to continue through 31 December 2035.

Under the terms of the contract, Boeing will manufacture 25 new-build F-15IA (Israel Advanced) fighter aircraft. In addition, the agreement includes an option for Israel to procure a further 25 aircraft at a later stage, potentially bringing the total fleet to 50 jets. According to earlier statements from the Israeli Ministry of Defense, deliveries are expected to begin in 2031, with an annual delivery rate of four to six aircraft.

The announcement comes approximately 13 months after Israel signed an initial USD 5.2 billion agreement with the United States in November 2024 for 25 F-15IA aircraft. That earlier deal reportedly did not include an option for additional jets, which may explain why the ceiling value of the latest contract is nearly double, aside from non-recurring costs related to the first batch. Neither Boeing nor US and Israeli defense authorities have provided further clarification on the breakdown of costs.

The F-15IA variant is expected to feature advanced avionics, modern radar systems, enhanced electronic warfare capabilities, and extended strike range. Defense analysts note that these aircraft will significantly strengthen Israel’s air superiority and long-range strike capabilities, reinforcing its deterrence posture in the region and further deepening long-standing US-Israel defense cooperation.