Tel Aviv: The Israeli plan to purchase the new version of the Boeing F-15 is moving forward with the letter of acceptance (LOA) expected to be signed soon by the US and Israel.
The LOA will enable the Israeli air force (IAF) to begin the direct talks with the US airforce about the detailed content of the F-15 Israeli advanced (IA) package.
The Israeli air force has prepared the changes it requires in the new Boeing F-15 IA to be supplied in the coming years by the US.
Last year, the US Secretary of State has approved the sale to Israel of 50 Boeing F-15 IA multi-role fighter aircraft, and mid-life update kits for the country’s existing F-15Is.
In 2020 , the Israeli government made a general decision to acquire additional F-35 and F-15. But while the contract for the F-35 has been signed, the contract for the advanced F-15 was left on paper.
But the IAF has expressed its urgent need for more F-15 that can be loaded with some types of weapon systems developed in Israel, that are tailored to destroy “hardened ” targets like the Iranian nuclear sites.
The F-15IA is the Israeli version of the F-15 EX. It carries more weapons than any other fighter in its class, and can launch hypersonic weapons up to 22 feet long and weighing up to 7,000 pounds.
The IAF wants 50 F-15 IA and in parallel to upgrade its 25 F-15I’s to the same avionic configuration of the F-15 EX, except for the fly by wire system. It is expected that the LOA will include the initial sale of 25 F-15 IA.
Israeli sources said that the main changes that the IAF intends to make in the new aircraft are – an Israeli made satellite communication system, an Israeli made EW system and a special computer that will allow the Israeli systems to “talk” with the original US made ones in the aircraft.
An Israeli defence source said that budget limitations may affect pace of acquiring the 50 F-15IA and the “scope” of the F-15I planned upgrade.
The ongoing war and the high tension with Iran made the purchase of the new F-15 even more urgent.
Israeli sources told Raksha Anirveda that the very important systems of the F-15 IA on radar is its APG-82 radar.
According to the sources, this advanced radar is capable of detecting cruise missiles like the ones used by the the Houthis, the Iranian proxy operating from Yemen, in recent attacks against Israel.
The IAF operates 50 F-15 A/B/C/D. In addition the force operates 25 F-15I.
The Israeli fleet of F-15 is essential not only to attack targets in Iran but also to achieve a fast stop of accurate rockets launched by the Hezbollah from Lebanon.
In recent weeks since the Israel ground invasion into Lebanon, the F-15 have been used almost on a daily basis to destroy targets of the Hezbollah in Lebanon.
-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
