Israel has taken a decisive step to expand its air power amid an increasingly sensitive regional scenario. The Ministerial Procurement Committee has approved the Ministry of Defense’s plan to purchase two new fighter squadrons, including a fourth F-35 unit and a second F-15IA squadron.
The decision, announced by the Israel Ministry of Defense on May 3, 2026, marks the beginning of a new phase in strengthening the Israel Defense Forces. The contracts, valued at tens of billions of shekels, involve aircraft produced by two giants of the U.S. defense industry: Lockheed Martin, responsible for the F-35, and Boeing, manufacturer of the F-15IA.
More than a simple aircraft purchase, the approved package includes the full integration of the new fighters into the Israeli Air Force, as well as maintenance, spare parts, logistical support and operational sustainment to keep the fleet ready for high-intensity missions.
An investment for the next decade
According to the Ministry of Defense, the acquisition represents the first concrete step in implementing the country’s decade-long military buildup plan, approved by the prime minister and the defense minister with a dedicated budget of 350 billion shekels.
The proposal was brought before the Committee by Defense Minister Israel Katz and the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram. For Israeli authorities, the new squadrons will form one of the foundations of the country’s preparation for a decade considered especially demanding from a security standpoint.
In an environment marked by constantly evolving regional threats, the expansion of the fighter fleet seeks to preserve one of Israel’s most important strategic advantages: its air superiority.
F-35 and F-15IA: two complementary capabilities
The new F-35 squadron will strengthen Israel’s fleet of stealth fighters, aircraft designed to operate in highly complex scenarios, with advanced sensors, a low radar signature and strong network integration.
The second F-15IA squadron, in turn, is expected to expand long-range strike capability, weapons carriage and combat endurance, offering the Air Force a heavy and powerful platform for strategic missions.
Together, the two models represent a combination of stealth technology, range, firepower and operational flexibility. For Israel, this mix could prove decisive in a future in which response speed and air dominance remain central factors of deterrence.
Following the approval, the Director General of the Ministry of Defense instructed the Israeli mission in the United States to move forward with finalizing the agreements with U.S. government and military authorities.
With this, Israel is preparing to turn a cabinet decision into new operational squadrons, in a move that could shape the country’s air power for many years to come.
Source and images: Israel Ministry of Defense. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
