Deal follows Trump-Netanyahu meeting as Pentagon confirms sale of up to 50 advanced F-15IA jets to Israel under long-term foreign military sales plan.
U.S. Department of Defense has approved an $8.6 billion contract with Boeing to supply advanced F-15 fighter jets to Israel, reinforcing Washington’s long-standing military partnership with its closest ally in the Middle East.
Pentagon announced Monday that the agreement covers the design, production, testing, and delivery of 25 new F-15IA aircraft for the Israeli Air Force, with an option to purchase an additional 25 jets. The deal falls under the U.S. government’s foreign military sales program, which oversees weapons transfers to allied nations.
The approval comes shortly after President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a visit to Florida, underscoring the strategic alignment between the two governments. While the Pentagon did not directly link the timing of the contract to the meeting, the announcement highlights continued U.S. support for Israel’s military capabilities.
According to the Defense Department, the F-15IA aircraft will feature advanced avionics, weapons systems, and mission-specific upgrades tailored to Israel’s operational needs. Boeing will carry out the bulk of the work in St. Louis, Missouri, with the program expected to run through December 31, 2035.
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United States has for decades been Israel’s largest arms supplier, providing billions of dollars in military equipment and assistance. U.S. officials have consistently argued that such support helps maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge in a volatile region.
The latest approval, however, comes amid growing domestic and international criticism of Washington’s military backing of Israel. Pro-Palestinian and anti-war demonstrators across several U.S. cities have called for an end to arms transfers, citing the humanitarian toll of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Those demands have not altered U.S. policy under the current administration, nor during the previous administration of President Joe Biden. Successive U.S. governments have maintained that security cooperation with Israel remains a cornerstone of American foreign policy in the Middle East.
Boeing, one of the world’s largest defense contractors, has not commented publicly on the contract details beyond the Pentagon’s announcement. The deal adds to the company’s existing portfolio of fighter aircraft programs and provides long-term production work for its defense manufacturing operations.
As regional tensions persist, the agreement signals that U.S.-Israeli defense ties remain firm, even as the broader conflict continues to draw intense global scrutiny.