Israel Moves to Acquire 2 New Squadrons of U.S. F-35 and F-15 Jets to Strengthen Long-Range Strike Power
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Israel has approved the purchase of two new combat squadrons of U.S.-built F-35 stealth fighters and F-15I strike aircraft, a move that significantly expands its ability to penetrate defended airspace and strike targets at long range, according to a May 3, 2026 announcement by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The decision strengthens a key U.S. ally’s capacity to deter Iran and project airpower across the Middle East, reinforcing Washington’s broader regional security architecture.
The combination of stealth F-35s for survivability and sensor dominance, and heavily armed F-15IAs for payload and range, gives Israel a layered strike force optimized for high-intensity conflict. This mix enhances deep-strike flexibility, improves resilience against advanced air defenses, and reflects a wider trend toward integrating stealth with high-capacity platforms to maintain air superiority in contested environments.Related Topic: F-35 Fighter Records First Air-to-Air Kill in History as Israeli F-35I Downs Iranian Yak-130 Jet
Israeli Air Force F-35I “Adir” and F-15 “Baz” fighter aircraft illustrate Israel’s expanding airpower as the Ministry of Defense approves new F-35 and F-15IA squadrons to enhance long-range strike capability and regional air superiority. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War/Defense with editing ARG)
The procurement of U.S. F-35 and F-15 fighter jets was authorized by Israel’s Ministerial Committee on Procurement as part of a broader 350 billion shekel ($119 billion) military modernization plan. The program aims to strengthen operational readiness over the next decade amid evolving regional threats, with a clear focus on air dominance, deterrence, and rapid-response strike capacity.
The F-35, already operational with the Israeli Air Force under the designation F-35I “Adir,” is a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter aircraft designed to penetrate contested airspace and execute high-value target strikes. Israel’s version integrates indigenous electronic warfare systems, command-and-control interfaces, and locally developed weapons, enhancing mission flexibility. The addition of a new squadron will expand Israel’s low-observable strike capacity, enabling simultaneous operations across multiple theaters while reducing detection risk against advanced air defense systems.
Complementing the stealth fleet, the F-15IA is a heavily upgraded variant of the F-15EX advanced strike fighter, tailored to Israeli requirements. This aircraft emphasizes payload capacity, range, and sustained strike operations. With the ability to carry large quantities of precision-guided munitions, including bunker-busting weapons, the F-15IA is optimized for high-intensity conflict scenarios requiring persistent firepower and deep-strike endurance. Its integration with the F-35 creates a layered air combat architecture that combines stealth penetration with high-volume strike delivery.
This dual acquisition reflects a deliberate operational doctrine: the F-35 conducts initial penetration and suppression of enemy air defenses, while the F-15IA follows with massed precision strikes. Such a combination enhances sortie effectiveness and reduces mission risk, particularly against hardened or dispersed targets. The approach mirrors evolving U.S. Air Force concepts for the joint employment of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, reinforcing interoperability between Israeli and American forces.
The current structure of the Israeli Air Force’s combat aviation fleet provides context for the scale of this expansion. Fighter and fighter/ground attack units are organized into one squadron equipped with F-15A/B/D Eagle (Baz), one squadron with F-15B/C/D Eagle (Baz), one squadron with F-15I Ra’am, five squadrons operating F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (Barak), four squadrons flying F-16I Fighting Falcon (Sufa), and two squadrons equipped with F-35I Adir. This mix balances air superiority, multirole strike, and deep-penetration capabilities.
In total, the Israeli Air Force operates approximately 316 fighter aircraft, including 8 F-15A Eagle (Baz), 6 F-15B Eagle (Baz), 17 F-15C Eagle (Baz), 19 F-15D Eagle (Baz), and 25 F-15I Ra’am. The F-16 fleet comprises around 50 F-16C Fighting Falcon (Barak), 49 F-16D Fighting Falcon (Barak), and 97 F-16I Fighting Falcon (Sufa), while the stealth component includes 45 F-35I Adir aircraft. This inventory highlights a force structure heavily oriented toward multirole flexibility and sustained combat operations.
A typical fighter squadron in the Israeli Air Force generally operates between 18 and 25 aircraft, depending on mission type and aircraft variant. High-end units such as F-35I and F-15 squadrons tend to be structured toward the lower end of this range due to maintenance demands and mission specialization, while F-16 squadrons often field slightly larger numbers to support high sortie generation rates. Based on this structure, the planned acquisition of two additional squadrons could introduce roughly 36 to 50 new aircraft into operational service, significantly expanding Israel’s combat mass and operational tempo.
Industrial considerations also play a significant role in the deal. Israel’s long-standing defense cooperation with the United States ensures continued access to advanced aerospace technologies while supporting domestic defense industries through offset agreements and local integration work. Israeli firms are expected to contribute avionics, software, and maintenance systems, sustaining national expertise in high-end military aviation.
Financially, the agreement represents one of the largest defense investments in Israel’s history, signaling a strategic shift toward long-term preparedness. The scale of funding reflects concerns over multi-front conflict scenarios, including the need to counter advanced missile systems, fortified underground facilities, and long-range threats. The acquisition aligns with ongoing upgrades in missile defense, intelligence, and network-centric warfare capabilities, forming a comprehensive modernization framework.
In operational terms, the expansion of both stealth and heavy strike fighter aircraft significantly increases Israel’s ability to conduct simultaneous campaigns, sustain prolonged air operations, and maintain escalation dominance. The combination of survivability, range, and payload directly enhances deterrence by presenting credible options for rapid, precise, and large-scale response. Strategically, this investment positions Israel to retain qualitative military superiority in a region where adversaries continue to expand both conventional and asymmetric capabilities.Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition GroupAlain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
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Israel has approved the purchase of two new combat squadrons of U.S.-built F-35 stealth fighters and F-15I strike aircraft, a move that significantly expands its ability to penetrate defended airspace and strike targets at long range, according to a May 3, 2026 announcement by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The decision strengthens a key U.S. ally’s capacity to deter Iran and project airpower across the Middle East, reinforcing Washington’s broader regional security architecture.
The combination of stealth F-35s for survivability and sensor dominance, and heavily armed F-15IAs for payload and range, gives Israel a layered strike force optimized for high-intensity conflict. This mix enhances deep-strike flexibility, improves resilience against advanced air defenses, and reflects a wider trend toward integrating stealth with high-capacity platforms to maintain air superiority in contested environments.
Related Topic: F-35 Fighter Records First Air-to-Air Kill in History as Israeli F-35I Downs Iranian Yak-130 Jet
Israeli Air Force F-35I “Adir” and F-15 “Baz” fighter aircraft illustrate Israel’s expanding airpower as the Ministry of Defense approves new F-35 and F-15IA squadrons to enhance long-range strike capability and regional air superiority. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War/Defense with editing ARG)
The procurement of U.S. F-35 and F-15 fighter jets was authorized by Israel’s Ministerial Committee on Procurement as part of a broader 350 billion shekel ($119 billion) military modernization plan. The program aims to strengthen operational readiness over the next decade amid evolving regional threats, with a clear focus on air dominance, deterrence, and rapid-response strike capacity.
The F-35, already operational with the Israeli Air Force under the designation F-35I “Adir,” is a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter aircraft designed to penetrate contested airspace and execute high-value target strikes. Israel’s version integrates indigenous electronic warfare systems, command-and-control interfaces, and locally developed weapons, enhancing mission flexibility. The addition of a new squadron will expand Israel’s low-observable strike capacity, enabling simultaneous operations across multiple theaters while reducing detection risk against advanced air defense systems.
Complementing the stealth fleet, the F-15IA is a heavily upgraded variant of the F-15EX advanced strike fighter, tailored to Israeli requirements. This aircraft emphasizes payload capacity, range, and sustained strike operations. With the ability to carry large quantities of precision-guided munitions, including bunker-busting weapons, the F-15IA is optimized for high-intensity conflict scenarios requiring persistent firepower and deep-strike endurance. Its integration with the F-35 creates a layered air combat architecture that combines stealth penetration with high-volume strike delivery.
This dual acquisition reflects a deliberate operational doctrine: the F-35 conducts initial penetration and suppression of enemy air defenses, while the F-15IA follows with massed precision strikes. Such a combination enhances sortie effectiveness and reduces mission risk, particularly against hardened or dispersed targets. The approach mirrors evolving U.S. Air Force concepts for the joint employment of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, reinforcing interoperability between Israeli and American forces.
The current structure of the Israeli Air Force’s combat aviation fleet provides context for the scale of this expansion. Fighter and fighter/ground attack units are organized into one squadron equipped with F-15A/B/D Eagle (Baz), one squadron with F-15B/C/D Eagle (Baz), one squadron with F-15I Ra’am, five squadrons operating F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (Barak), four squadrons flying F-16I Fighting Falcon (Sufa), and two squadrons equipped with F-35I Adir. This mix balances air superiority, multirole strike, and deep-penetration capabilities.
In total, the Israeli Air Force operates approximately 316 fighter aircraft, including 8 F-15A Eagle (Baz), 6 F-15B Eagle (Baz), 17 F-15C Eagle (Baz), 19 F-15D Eagle (Baz), and 25 F-15I Ra’am. The F-16 fleet comprises around 50 F-16C Fighting Falcon (Barak), 49 F-16D Fighting Falcon (Barak), and 97 F-16I Fighting Falcon (Sufa), while the stealth component includes 45 F-35I Adir aircraft. This inventory highlights a force structure heavily oriented toward multirole flexibility and sustained combat operations.
A typical fighter squadron in the Israeli Air Force generally operates between 18 and 25 aircraft, depending on mission type and aircraft variant. High-end units such as F-35I and F-15 squadrons tend to be structured toward the lower end of this range due to maintenance demands and mission specialization, while F-16 squadrons often field slightly larger numbers to support high sortie generation rates. Based on this structure, the planned acquisition of two additional squadrons could introduce roughly 36 to 50 new aircraft into operational service, significantly expanding Israel’s combat mass and operational tempo.
Industrial considerations also play a significant role in the deal. Israel’s long-standing defense cooperation with the United States ensures continued access to advanced aerospace technologies while supporting domestic defense industries through offset agreements and local integration work. Israeli firms are expected to contribute avionics, software, and maintenance systems, sustaining national expertise in high-end military aviation.
Financially, the agreement represents one of the largest defense investments in Israel’s history, signaling a strategic shift toward long-term preparedness. The scale of funding reflects concerns over multi-front conflict scenarios, including the need to counter advanced missile systems, fortified underground facilities, and long-range threats. The acquisition aligns with ongoing upgrades in missile defense, intelligence, and network-centric warfare capabilities, forming a comprehensive modernization framework.
In operational terms, the expansion of both stealth and heavy strike fighter aircraft significantly increases Israel’s ability to conduct simultaneous campaigns, sustain prolonged air operations, and maintain escalation dominance. The combination of survivability, range, and payload directly enhances deterrence by presenting credible options for rapid, precise, and large-scale response. Strategically, this investment positions Israel to retain qualitative military superiority in a region where adversaries continue to expand both conventional and asymmetric capabilities.
Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
