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Israel approves plan to buy F-35 and F-15IA fighter jets from Lockheed, Boeing

Israel has approved a multibillion-dollar deal to buy two new squadrons of F-35 and F-15IA fighter jets from Lockheed Martin and Boeing, as part of a broader defense buildup plan. The purchase aims to double Israel's F-35 and F-15IA fleets and bolster its air superiority amid ongoing regional tensions.

By Tertius News AI Desk 4 outlets · 5 articles Version 1 Coverage May 3–14, 2026 Published Aug 14

Lead

Israel has given final approval to a multibillion-dollar deal to acquire two new squadrons of advanced fighter jets from U.S. manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Boeing, according to statements from Israel's Defense Ministry and reports from multiple outlets. The purchase, which includes a fourth squadron of F-35 stealth fighters and a second squadron of F-15IA warplanes, is the first phase of a 350-billion-shekel ($119 billion) plan to strengthen the Israeli military over the next decade.

Coverage Comparison

The announcement, made on Sunday, was reported by Al Jazeera, Dawn, The Hindu, and two articles from The Jerusalem Post. All outlets confirmed the core details: Israel's Ministerial Committee on Procurement approved the deal, which involves one F-35 squadron from Lockheed Martin and one F-15IA squadron from Boeing, with the total value estimated in the tens of billions of dollars.

Al Jazeera, Dawn, and The Hindu framed the story around the approval of the deal itself, emphasizing the scale of the purchase and its context in the ongoing U.S.-Israel military cooperation. The Jerusalem Post provided additional details on the broader defense buildup, including plans to double Israel's F-35 fleet from 50 to 100 and its F-15IA fleet from 25 to 50, as well as a significant increase in defense spending over the next ten years.

A second Jerusalem Post article reported that Israel's Defense Ministry signed a separate contract with Elbit Systems subsidiary Cyclone to develop an extended-range capability for the F-35, including the integration of external fuel tanks—a development described as a first for the F-35 program. That contract is valued at over $34 million.

Key Claims

Doubling of fighter fleets: According to The Jerusalem Post, Israel plans to double its F-35 fleet from 50 to 100 aircraft and its F-15IA fleet from 25 to 50. This claim is supported by the ministry's announcement of acquiring a fourth F-35 squadron and a second F-15IA squadron.
Defense spending increase: The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel will increase defense spending by NIS 350 billion over the next ten years, part of the same plan that includes the fighter jet purchase. The same source noted that annual defense spending has already risen from under NIS 100 billion to nearly NIS 150 billion, a figure not mentioned by other outlets.
F-35 capabilities: The Jerusalem Post noted that F-35s feature stealth technology and advanced surveillance capabilities, which are key to Israel's air superiority. This claim was not expanded upon by other sources.
F-15IA replacement role: The Jerusalem Post reported that the new F-15IAs will replace aging F-15 aircraft in Israel's fleet. This detail was not included in other reports.
Extended-range F-35 contract: A separate Jerusalem Post article detailed a contract with Elbit Systems to develop external fuel tanks for the F-35, valued at over $34 million. This is a distinct development from the main fighter jet purchase and was not reported by other sources.
Context of Iran conflict: Al Jazeera and Dawn mentioned the ongoing U.S.-Israel war on Iran and a ceasefire in place since April 8, with a U.S. Navy blockade of Iranian ports. These details appear in the context of the announcement but are not central to the deal itself.

Perspectives

The Israeli government, as quoted by the Defense Ministry and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, presents the purchase as essential for maintaining Israel's military edge. Netanyahu emphasized that the country must always be "much stronger than our enemies," and Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram spoke of the need to secure the Israeli Defense Forces' edge "ten years from now and beyond."

The U.S.-Israel strategic relationship is highlighted as a key factor in the deal, with Baram noting that the recent conflict with Iran "reinforced just how critical the US-Israel strategic relationship is." This view is echoed across reports, though none of the sources offered critical analysis of the deal or its implications for regional stability.

Independent analysts were not quoted in the provided texts, but the scale of the purchase and its timing—shortly after a ceasefire with Iran—suggest a deliberate long-term investment in air power. The Jerusalem Post's reference to a "radical post-October 7 world" underscores the shift in Israeli defense thinking following the 2023 Hamas attack and subsequent conflicts.

While all sources are factual, The Jerusalem Post's reporting offers the most detailed breakdown of the fleet expansion and spending plans, whereas Al Jazeera, Dawn, and The Hindu provide a more concise summary. The lack of dissenting voices in the provided material limits the range of perspectives available, but the article does not identify any factual disputes among the outlets.

Corrections and Clarifications

No corrections or factual discrepancies were identified among the sources. The ceasefire date of April 8 and the February 28 launch of airstrikes on Iran were consistently reported by Al Jazeera and Dawn, though not mentioned by The Jerusalem Post articles provided.