As a lesson from the war, and in light of the current and future threats to Israel, the Israeli Air Force is expected to grow dramatically, and is already working on a new plan aimed at procuring advanced aircraft and helicopters, as well as with aerial ammunition stockpiles, Israel Hayom has exclusively learned.
The plan envisions a series of deals worth an estimated tens of billions of dollars to fund four squadrons of advanced fighter jets and two squadrons of combat helicopters. It has also weighed the possibility of getting additional refueling aircraft. The plan also calls for boosting the volume of ammunition that the IDF will have at its disposal and dramatically increasing Israel's indigenous production capabilities in order to increase self-reliance.
Two of the new squadrons will be F-35s ("Adir"), which will join the two F-35 squadrons the Air Force already has. Another two squadrons to be purchased will be new F-15s (F-15IA) that will be modified for the Israeli Air Force.
The decision to seek additional squadrons (each with 25 aircraft) is a direct result of the war, but also of the understanding that Israel needs a larger and more lethal air force, one that can successfully deal with threats in near and far arenas.
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The Israeli Air Force decided on the parallel purchase of both types of aircraft, due to their different capabilities in terms of ranges, payload, and stealth characteristics. There is also an understanding that Israel should not rely on a single supplier, and also to try to shorten the period necessary to produce and deliver the product.
The procurement processes for two of the combat squadrons (one of each type) started even before the war, and they are at various stages of implementation. They are expected to receive final approval from the Ministerial Committee on Procurement soon. These processes also require various approvals in the United States, as well as agreements with the manufacturers (Lockheed Martin and Boeing).
Aiming for a future agreement
Officials estimate that the procurement of the new F-35 squadron will be approved in the coming days, while the first F-15 part will be approved during the current quarter.
The implementation of this plan will take much longer. The F-35 aircraft will arrive over the next five years, while the first F-15s will arrive around the end of the decade. These two deals will be financed through the existing US-Israel memorandum of understanding granting Israel annual military aid.
Preparatory work began for the procurement of the two additional combat squadrons, the financing of which will be done through the next US security assistance agreement (the current agreement expires in 2028).
For this purpose, Israel has several working assumptions, chief among them that such a new MOU with the US will indeed be signed and that its annual scope will be at least identical to the existing agreement – which stands at $3.8 billion a year.
Although there are still four years left until the end of the current MOU, Israel will try to promote a future agreement now, and perhaps even increase its scope, in view of the Biden administration's friendly posture during the war and its overt support for Israel's wartime needs.
Assuming all these procurement deals are approved, the fighter jet fleet from will be based on three types of aircraft: 100 F-16I ("Sufa") fighters already flying in the air force; 100 F-35 ("Adir") fighters, of which two squadrons have already been purchased and two more will be purchased; and three squadrons of F-15s (two of the new type, plus the Thunder squadron – F-15I, which has served in the air force for 25 years). Completing the equipment will make it possible to phase the old F-15 and F-16 aircraft out of service.
In parallel with the activity regarding the purchase of fighter jets, the procurement of two squadrons of advanced Apache combat helicopters is also planned. Even before the war, the Air Force had planned to close down the old Apache squadron and remain with only one squadron of advanced Apache combat helicopters.
The delay in responding to Hamas's attack in the initial hours of the war and the frequent use of close ground support to forces during the fighting made it clear that a larger fleet of combat helicopters was needed. Therefore, it was decided to immediately initiate proceedings for the purchase of an Apache squadron, and subsequently also an additional squadron.
These deals have yet to be finalized or approved, but Israel hopes they can be done quickly and accelerate equipment processes, among other things based on the fact that these helicopters are mass-produced for the US military.
Video: Six facts about the Israel-Hamas war in 90 seconds / X/@idf
Senior figures in Israel are also making an effort to shorten the supply processes of at least two of the four refueling aircraft already purchased. The Air Force is also now considering the possibility of invoking a clause in the agreement with the Americans by purchasing four additional refuelers, which will be received by a new squadron to be established at the Air Force's Nevatim base.
In addition to adding new aircraft and helicopters, it was also decided to significantly increase the aerial ammunition stockpiles available to the Air Force. To achieve this, two parallel processes are taking place: acceleration of procurement in the US and acceleration of procurement in Israel – including opening new production lines for heavy ammunition by Israeli military industries through Elbit Systems. Elbit will also significantly increase the production of ammunition for ground forces, focusing on armored and artillery forces.
The new decisions made during the war are aimed at increasing Israeli self-reliance in the field of ammunition, but they will not reduce Israeli dependence on American weapon systems. Various political elements who like to clash with the US administration are advised to take into account that for at least the next decade and a half, Israel will still be bound by American assistance, without having an alternative.
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