The United States has approved a major defence deal with Israel, awarding Boeing a multi-billion-dollar contract to supply advanced fighter aircraft to the Israeli Air Force. The agreement was confirmed by the Pentagon following high-level talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump in Washington.
According to the US Department of Defense, Boeing has been awarded a contract valued at up to $8.6 billion to design, manufacture and deliver 25 new F-15IA fighter jets for Israel. The deal also includes an option for Israel to purchase an additional 25 aircraft at a later stage, potentially expanding the size of the order.
Pentagon officials said the aircraft will be specifically configured to meet the operational requirements of the Israeli Air Force. The F-15IA is an advanced variant of the F-15 platform, incorporating updated avionics, weapons systems, and enhanced capabilities designed for modern combat environments.
Work under the contract will be carried out primarily at Boeing’s facilities in St. Louis, Missouri. The Pentagon said production and delivery are expected to continue over several years, with the project scheduled for completion by the end of December 2035.
The fighter jet deal comes as part of long-standing military cooperation between the United States and Israel. Washington has historically been Israel’s largest defence supplier and key security partner in the Middle East, providing military aid, equipment, and advanced technology over several decades.
The announcement followed meetings between Netanyahu and Trump, during which both leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional security, and defence cooperation. While details of all agreements reached during the visit were not publicly disclosed, US officials confirmed that defence collaboration was a central focus of the talks.
The deal has drawn attention amid ongoing international debate over US military support for Israel, particularly in light of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. In recent months, demonstrations have taken place across the United States, with protesters calling on Washington to reconsider or halt military assistance to Israel due to humanitarian concerns.
Despite these protests, successive US administrations, including those led by Donald Trump and Joe Biden, have maintained strong defence ties with Israel. US officials have consistently described Israel as a key strategic ally in the region and have emphasized the importance of maintaining Israel’s military capabilities.
Pentagon statements regarding the Boeing contract focused on industrial and defence aspects of the agreement and did not address political or humanitarian criticisms. Officials said the contract supports US manufacturing jobs while strengthening the defence capacity of an allied nation.
Boeing has not issued a detailed public comment beyond confirming the contract award. The company has a long history of supplying military aircraft to US allies, including variants of the F-15 that are operated by several countries around the world.
The F-15 platform has been in service for decades and is regarded as one of the most successful fighter aircraft designs in modern aviation. The updated F-15IA version is expected to provide Israel with enhanced range, payload capacity, and survivability, allowing it to integrate new technologies as threats evolve.
Israeli officials have previously said that maintaining air superiority is a central pillar of the country’s defence strategy. The acquisition of additional advanced fighter jets is seen as part of broader efforts to modernize Israel’s air force and maintain operational readiness.
The US government said the agreement follows standard defence export procedures and aligns with existing security commitments. As with similar contracts, final delivery schedules and configurations may be adjusted over time based on operational needs and production timelines.
The announcement underscores the scale of defence cooperation between Washington and Tel Aviv, even as the issue of arms sales remains politically sensitive in the United States and abroad. Officials indicated that further updates would be provided as the project moves forward.