Israel has approved a multi-billion-dollar purchase of U.S. fighter jets, with Netanyahu saying it will strengthen air superiority.
Israel’s cabinet has approved a major fighter jet deal with the United States, a move Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed as a bid to preserve air superiority.
The decision clears the way for Israel to acquire two combat squadrons of U.S.-made aircraft, according to Israel’s defence ministry, including a squadron of F-35 stealth fighters and another of F-15IA warplanes.
Officials said the acquisition is tied to a longer-term plan often described as the “Shield of Israel,” aimed at maintaining Israel’s qualitative advantage in the skies for years.
In this context, the focus on both advanced stealth and proven airframe capabilities signals an effort to balance next-generation systems with existing operational strength.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said the F-35 and F-15IA purchases are central to the plan, while Netanyahu added that the deal would reinforce Israel’s “overwhelming air superiority.” He also pointed to plans to build additional weaponry and fighter capabilities domestically.
Netanyahu said Israel will increase its defence budget over the coming decade to support manufacturing in Israel and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. He also referenced the development of “blue-and-white” aircraft, describing them as a step meant to reshape future capabilities.
At the same time, Israel’s procurement push sits alongside a track record of heavy reliance on air power, particularly in recent conflicts where aerial strikes targeted locations Israel described as militant infrastructure.
During the war in Gaza, Israel’s air force carried out a large-scale aerial campaign, with officials citing efforts to disrupt military capabilities while the densely populated territory saw widespread devastation, including to civilian facilities.
Israel has also used air power in strikes related to its conflict with Iran, and it is currently engaged in fighting Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, according to ongoing reporting described by Misryoum.
For Israel, the jet deal is not just an equipment update but a statement about how long-term strategy is being shaped, with domestic production plans positioned as a way to sustain readiness and bargaining power.