Boeing Secures $8.6 Billion Pentagon Contract for F-15 Jets for Israel

Boeing has been awarded an $8.6 billion defense contract by the United States Department of Defense for the F-15 Israel Program, marking one of the most significant recent foreign military sales agreements between Washington and Tel Aviv. The announcement was made by the Pentagon on Monday following a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida.

According to the Pentagon’s statement, the contract covers the design, integration, testing, production, and delivery of 25 new F-15IA fighter aircraft for the Israeli Air Force. The agreement also includes an option for Israel to purchase an additional 25 F-15IA jets in the future, potentially doubling the size of the deal. The F-15IA is a customized variant of Boeing’s advanced F-15 platform, tailored specifically to meet Israel’s operational and defense requirements.

The contract falls under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, a framework that facilitates defense cooperation with allied nations. The United States has long been Israel’s largest arms supplier, providing advanced military equipment and systems as part of its strategic partnership in the Middle East. This latest agreement further reinforces that long-standing defense relationship.

Work on the contract will primarily be carried out in St. Louis, Missouri, where Boeing maintains major defense manufacturing operations. The Pentagon indicated that the project is expected to be completed by December 31, 2035, highlighting the long-term nature of the program and its significance for both Boeing and the U.S. defense industry.

The announcement comes amid ongoing protests across the United States, where pro-Palestinian and anti-war demonstrators have called for an end to U.S. military support for Israel. These protests are driven by opposition to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in widespread destruction and civilian casualties. Despite sustained public pressure, U.S. military assistance to Israel has continued under both the Trump administration and the previous administration of President Joe Biden.

The $8.6 billion Boeing F-15 contract underscores the enduring military alliance between the United States and Israel, even as the issue remains a subject of intense domestic and international debate.