Israel has been approved for the F-15IA version of the Advanced Eagle, upgrades to its existing F-15I (pictured) aircraft, and the latest version of the AMRAAM missile. (US Air Force)
The US government has approved for Israel the sale of Boeing F-15 Advanced Eagle combat aircraft, upgrades to existing F-15s, and the transfer of the latest variant RTX Raytheon AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) for an estimated USD19 billion.
Announced on 13 August as part of a wider arms package to Israel, the two US Department of State approvals cover the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of up to 50 newbuild F-15IA (Israel Advanced) and mid-life upgrade (MLU) modification kits for 25 existing F-15I (Israel) Ra'am aircraft for USD18.82 billion, as well as 30 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs for USD102.5 million.
“Incorporating F-15IAs into the Israel Air Force's fleet of fighter aircraft will enhance Israel's interoperability with US systems and bolster Israel's aerial capabilities to meet current and future enemy threats, strengthen its homeland defence, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said of the Advanced F-15 approval.
“AMRAAMs are a key aerial combat capability used to defend against airborne threats, such as the missile and drone salvo launched at Israel on 14 April,” the DSCA said of the AMRAAM approval.
Advanced Eagle
Related equipment listed by the DSCA for the proposed F-15IA/F-15I+ sale shows the aircraft to be of a comparable standard to other Advanced Eagles in service with Saudi Arabia (F-15SA), Qatar (F-15QA Ababil), and the US (F-15EX Eagle II).
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