Israel approved the purchase of two additional squadrons of advanced fighter jets from the United States in deals valued at tens of billions of shekels, as the country moves to expand its air superiority capabilities following lessons learned from the recent conflict with Iran that began 2 months ago.
Over the weekend, a defense procurement committee made up of senior ministers approved a Defense Ministry plan to acquire a fourth F-35I squadron from Lockheed Martin and a second F-15IA squadron from Boeing. The ministry said the jets "will serve as a cornerstone of the IDF's long-term force development, addressing evolving regional threats and preserving Israel's strategic air superiority."
Strategic Force Buildup
The aircraft would eventually bring the Israeli Air Force's F-35I fleet to 100 and F-15IA fleet to 50 in the coming years. The ministry said Israel currently has 48 F-35I jets, following an initial order of 50, and that another 25 F-35s ordered in 2023 are expected to be delivered starting in 2028. Israel ordered 25 F-15IA jets in 2024, with the first expected to be delivered starting in 2031.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said the recent war in Iran "once again demonstrated the Israeli Air Force's power and its decisive role in protecting Israel." He said, "The lessons of that campaign require us to keep pressing forward on force buildup, to ensure air superiority for decades to come."
Defense Ministry director general Amir Baram instructed the ministry's mission to the US to "move forward with finalizing the agreements with American government and military counterparts in the coming period." Baram said, "Alongside immediate wartime procurement needs, we have a responsibility to act now to secure the IDF's military edge ten years from now and beyond."
Massive Arms Shipments Continue
Last week, two cargo ships and several planes carrying 6,500 tons of military equipment from the United States arrived in Israel. The ships docked at the Haifa and Ashdod ports and were carrying "thousands of air munitions, ground munitions, military trucks, JLTV combat mobility vehicles, and additional equipment," according to the ministry. The 6,500 tons were loaded onto trucks and taken to various military bases across the country.
Baram said the procurement operation "will continue and intensify in the coming weeks." The ministry said that since the start of the war with Iran on February 28, more than 115,600 tons of military equipment have arrived in Israel on 403 flights and 10 ships.
Baram also said, "Operation Roaring Lion reinforced just how critical the US-Israel strategic relationship is, and how essential advanced air power remains," referring to the recent 40-day conflict with Iran. Katz said the ministry's goal is "to ensure that the IDF receives all the necessary means so that it can return to operating at full strength against our enemies at any time and in any place required."
Domestic and Diplomatic Tensions
The defense developments come as a new cohort of ultra-Orthodox soldiers enlisted in the IDF on Sunday, while protests in Tel Aviv 1 day ago denounced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government as a "government of debacle and disaster."
In a separate matter, Israel said Friday that all 175 activists detained when the Navy intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla 1 day ago were freed in Greece except for two activists, Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avilo. Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator at the rights group Adalah, said, "The state asked to extend their detention by four days."
Adalah said its lawyers had met the two detained activists at Shikma Prison in Ashkelon, where Avila told them he had been "subjected to extreme brutality," adding that he was "dragged face-down across the floor and beaten so severely that he passed out twice." Adalah said Avila also said he had been "kept in isolation and blindfolded." The group said Abu Keshek was also "hand-tied and blindfolded… and forced to lie face-down on the floor from the moment of his seizure" until reaching Israel.
Security Concerns Over Detained Activists
The Foreign Ministry said the two activists are affiliated with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), which Washington has accused of "clandestinely acting on behalf of" Hamas. The Foreign Ministry said Abu Keshek is a leading member of the PCPA, and that Avila is also linked to the organization and "suspected of illegal activity."
Spain condemned the detention of Avila and rejected the Israeli accusation against him.
Why This Matters:
Israel's multi-billion shekel investment in advanced fighter aircraft reflects a long-term commitment to maintaining military superiority in a volatile region where threats continue to evolve. The procurement decisions, driven by operational experience from the recent Iran conflict, demonstrate how modern warfare requires sustained defense spending and technological advantages to deter adversaries. The massive influx of over 115,600 tons of military equipment since February underscores the scale of resources required to sustain military operations and readiness. The detention of activists with alleged ties to organizations accused by Washington of Hamas affiliation highlights ongoing security challenges related to maritime access and potential infiltration attempts. The diplomatic friction with Spain over detention practices illustrates the tensions between security imperatives and international relations. Meanwhile, domestic political divisions over conscription and government performance continue even as defense modernization proceeds, reflecting the complex balance between internal governance challenges and external security requirements.