The Ministerial Committee for Acquisitions approved over the weekend the Ministry of Defense to acquire two new fighter squadrons at the same time: a fourth squadron of the powerful F-35 aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, and a second squadron of F-15IAs manufactured by Boeing.
The scope of the deals is estimated at tens of billions of NIS and also includes the absorption of the squadrons into the Air Force, overall support, spare parts, and logistics.
This is the first step in implementing the force building plan for the coming decade, which was approved by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense, with a designated budget of 350 billion NIS.
Defense Minister Israel Katz and the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. Amir Baram, brought the purchase of the squadrons to the approval of the Ministerial Committee for Equipping, as part of the Ministry of Defense's strategy to improve readiness for a decade of tree security.
The new squadrons will constitute a significant pillar in the IDF's force building for the coming decades, in the face of emerging regional threats, and will enable the State of Israel to maintain its strategic air superiority in the region.
Following the approval of the ministerial committee, the Director General of the Ministry of Defense instructed the Ministry of Defense's procurement delegation in the US to move forward with signing the deals with American government and military officials in the near future.
Defense Minister Israel Katz: "Operation 'Harry's Roar' once again demonstrated the strength of the Air Force and its crucial role in maintaining the security of the State of Israel. The operational lessons from the campaign oblige us to continue to accelerate the building of the force, in order to ensure the superiority of the Air Force in the coming decades.".
""The acquisition of the F35 and F15IA squadrons is a central part of the 'Israeli Defense' force-building program, which is designed to ensure the IDF a lasting qualitative advantage. As part of the program, the Air Force will also be required to lead a technological leap forward, in developing and integrating autonomous flight capabilities, advanced next-generation defense systems, and establishing Israeli military superiority, both defensive and offensive, in space.".
""Our role is clear: to ensure that the IDF has the tools, capabilities, and power to operate at any time and in any arena. We will continue to invest, strengthen, and get ahead of our enemies, in order to maintain Israel's security today and in the future.".
Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. Amir Baram: "Approval of the procurement of fighter squadrons is a first and central step in implementing the 350th plan for building the force for the coming security decade. Faced with the changing threats in the region and alongside the immediate equipping for war needs, we are committed to acting now to ensure the IDF's military superiority for a decade or more.".
""Operation 'Harry's Roar' once again demonstrated the crucial importance of the strategic relationship between Israel and the US and the need for advanced air power. The combination of the various capabilities of the two squadrons will provide the Air Force with full flexibility to deal with diverse combat scenarios. The Ministry of Defense will continue to lead the acquisition processes with responsibility and a long-term vision, to ensure the system's readiness for all future challenges.".
