The ministerial procurement committee approved over the weekend a request by the Defense Ministry and the IDF to acquire two new fighter squadrons, in a deal worth billions of dollars. The purchase includes a fourth squadron of Adir fighter jets, the Israeli name for the F-35, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, alongside another squadron of Boeing-made F-15IA aircraft. The deals also include the aircraft's integration into the Israeli Air Force, support systems, spare parts and logistics.
The procurement marks the first step in implementing the military buildup plan for the coming decade, approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, with a dedicated budget of 350 billion shekels. The Defense Ministry said the new squadrons were expected to form a central pillar of the IDF's force buildup in the coming years.
Katz said the decision stemmed in part from operational lessons learned during the campaign against Iran.
"The operational lessons from the campaign require us to continue accelerating the force buildup in order to ensure the Air Force's superiority in the decades to come as well," he said. "The purchase of the F-35 and F-15IA squadrons is a central part of the 'Shield of Israel' plan, which is designed to ensure the IDF maintains a lasting qualitative edge."
Katz added that Operation Roaring Lion had demonstrated the Air Force's strength and its decisive role in safeguarding Israel's security.
"Our role is clear: to ensure that the IDF has the tools, capabilities and power to operate at any time and in any arena. We will continue to invest, grow stronger and stay ahead of our enemies," he said.
Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram said the move was a key step in implementing the 350 billion-shekel force buildup plan.
"In the face of the changing threats in the region, and alongside immediate procurement for the needs of the war, we are committed to acting now to ensure the IDF's military superiority a decade from now and beyond," Baram said.
Baram added that Operation Roaring Lion had also underscored the importance of the strategic bond between Israel and the US and the need for advanced air power.
"The combination of the different capabilities of the two squadrons will provide the Air Force with full flexibility to deal with a range of combat scenarios," he said, stressing that the Defense Ministry would continue to lead procurement processes with a long-term view.
Following the ministerial committee's approval, Baram instructed the Defense Ministry's procurement delegation in the US to move ahead with signing the deals with US government and military officials in the near future.
