The U.S. State Department announced Secretary of State Antony Blinken has approved multiple Israeli government requests to purchase U.S. fighter aircraft and air-to-air missiles, 120mm tank and mortar munitions, and tactical vehicles. The total cost of the proposed foreign military sales is over $20 billion. A Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) press release stated the Israeli Air Force request to purchase 50 new F-15IA fighter aircraft is estimated at over $18 billion:
The Secretary of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Israel of F-15IA and F-15I+ Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $18.82 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The DSCA press release also stated the F-15IA’s will enhance Israel’s interoperability with U.S. systems, and are expected to be delivered beginning in 2029:
Incorporating F-15IAs into the Israel Air Force’s fleet of fighter aircraft will enhance Israel’s interoperability with U.S. systems and bolster Israel’s aerial capabilities to meet current and future enemy threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats.
The foreign military sales announced today also included approval of 30 AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles, 32,739 120mm tank cartridges, and 50,000 M933A1 120mm mortar cartridges. According to the DSCA press release, the tank cartridges and related equipment are estimated to cost $774.1 million:
