The Pentagon awarded Boeing an $8.6bn contract to supply Israel with advanced F-15 fighter jets, marking a major boost to the Israeli Air Force's capabilities, the US Department of War announced on December 29.

The deal covers the acquisition of the F-15IA, Israel's customised version of the American F-15EX. The next-generation fighters are designed to gradually replace older aircraft and significantly enhance Israel's strategic reach and air superiority, i24NEWS reported on December 30.

According to the DOW, "Work will be performed at St. Louis, Missouri and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2035."

It added, "This contract was a sole-source acquisition. FMS funds for $840,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Centre, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity." 

The F-15IA is notable for its exceptional weapons-carrying capacity and extended operational range, making it well-suited for regional missions, including its previous targeting of the Iranian capital, Tehran.

According to Israeli media, when combined with Israel's fleet of advanced F-35 Adirs, the additional aircraft will create a mix of stealth and heavy firepower.

The contract followed months of negotiations and required approvals from the US Congress and administration, and comes as potential risks of a renewed conflict with Tehran are on the cards. 

First deliveries of the new series of fighters are expected within a few years, further strengthening Israel's aerial defence capabilities.

The F-15EX represents Boeing's latest evolution of the F-15 platform, featuring advanced avionics, electronic warfare systems and increased payload capacity compared to earlier variants.

The Israeli customisation incorporates domestic systems and weapons integration specific to Israeli Air Force requirements.