Israel to buy 25 advanced F-15I multirole fighters

Israel to buy 25 advanced F-15I multirole fighters

By Dario Leone
May 20 2018
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The advanced F-15I multirole fighters will feature large-area cockpit display and extended lifespan

Flight Global says Israel will be buying another batch of new advanced F-15I multirole fighters that feature large-area cockpit display and extended lifespan.

The purchase of 25 aircraft will be done in conjunction with upgrades to Israeli Air Force’s existing F-15I fleet.

The purchase of additional F-15s has recently gained priority for the Israeli air force’s high command over ordering aircraft for a third squadron of Lockheed Martin F-35Is. In fact, former senior Israeli Air Force (IAF) officers told that the service future squadrons cannot rely on only one type of combat plane (the F-35), hence the need for new F-15s.

The rationale for this decision is that while the F-35’s stealth features are essential at the start of a conflict, the type will need to be flown during later combat sorties in conjunction with assets capable of carrying a heavier weapons load. Additionally the F-15 is capable of striking targets at longer ranges than the F-35 and to carry a heavier payload than the Lightning II.

Furthermore as we have explained last year IAF would like to replace its fleet of legacy F-15s (the oldest of which were delivered in 1976) with a more advanced variant of the fighter.

IAF is currently operating 25 F-15Is, aged between 18 and 20 years. These aircraft would be modified to the same enhanced standard as the proposed additional batch, if the deal goes ahead.

Sources indicate that a purchase is likely to advance around the mid-way point of a 10-year military spending package recently approved by the U.S.

Israel to buy 25 advanced F-15I multirole fighters
This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. F-15E Strike Eagle 366th Fighter Wing, 391st Fighter Squadron, MO/90-0249 – Mountain Home AFB, ID – 2008

Photo credit: TSGT KEVIN J. GRUENWALD / U.S. Air Force

Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com


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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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