Tel Aviv: The Ministerial Committee on Procurement has approved the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD)’s plan to simultaneously acquire two new fighter squadrons: a fourth F-35 squadron from Lockheed Martin, and a second F-15IA squadron from Boeing.
The deals, valued at tens of billions of NIS, include full fleet integration into the Israeli Air Force, comprehensive sustainment, spare parts, and logistics support.
This is the first step in executing the IDF’s decade-long force buildup plan, approved by the Prime Minister and Defence Minister under a dedicated NIS 350 billion budget.
Following the Committee’s approval, the Director General directed the IMOD’s mission to the US to move forward with finalising the agreements with American government and military counterparts in the coming period.
IMOD Director General Maj Gen (Res.) Amir Baram, commented, “The approval of this procurement is the first major step in executing the NIS 350 billion force buildup plan for an intense security decade ahead. Alongside immediate wartime procurement needs, we have a responsibility to act now to secure the IDF’s military edge ten years from now and beyond.”
“Operation Roaring Lion reinforced just how critical the US-Israel strategic relationship is, and how essential advanced air power remains. The complementary capabilities of these two squadrons will give the Israeli Air Force, the flexibility to handle a broad range of combat scenarios,” he added.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
