On August 13, the US State Department approved a substantial foreign military sales package to Israel, amounting to around $18.82 billion. This extensive agreement comprises the delivery of up to 50 new F-15 fighters and enhancements for 25 current F-15I models, as well as engines, radars, and a range of additional equipment.
The agreement is pending Congressional approval and would see Israel acquiring the F-15IA aircraft, an advanced variant akin to the US Air Force’s F-15EX Eagle II.
The deal outlines the purchase of 25 of these advanced fighters with an option to acquire an additional 25 units. In addition to these new aircraft, Israel seeks to enhance its current F-15I fleet through a “mid-life update modification kit” program, known as F-15I+, which will upgrade the existing models.
The sales package includes 120 F110-GE-129 engines, 75 APG-82(V)1 active electronically scanned array radars, and other critical equipment. If the deal is finalized, a total of 75 F-15s will be involved in this extensive transaction.
The State Department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said that incorporating the F-15IAs into the Israeli Air Force’s (IAF) fleet will significantly enhance Israel’s interoperability with US systems.
The new and upgraded aircraft are expected to bolster Israel’s aerial capabilities, address current and future threats, and strengthen its homeland defense. The agency also reassured that the sale would not disrupt the existing military balance in the region.
The push to modernize Israel’s F-15 fleet has been ongoing for years. The country’s interest in the F-15EX variant dates back to 2018, though a formal request to the US was only made in 2023. The Israeli Air Force is also looking to expand its fleet of F-35Is, its variant of the F-35.
The current mix of new aircraft and upgrades reflects the IAF’s strategy to complement its growing fleet of F-35I Adirs.
The F-15s, including the F-15A/B/C/D Baz and F-15I Ra’am variants, remain integral to the IAF’s operational strategy. These aircraft serve multiple roles, including long-range strikes, air defense, and command and control functions.
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The F-15s have long been valued for their versatility, including their ability to carry substantial weapons over long distances.
The fleet’s continued relevance is underscored by the fact that even the older F-15 Baz models have been adapted for ground attack missions, and the more recent F-15Is, despite being delivered 25 years ago, remain a vital part of the IAF’s arsenal.
The Impressive Legacy Of F-15 Fighter Jet
Even after nearly 50 years of service, the F-15 Eagle remains a formidable force in the realm of air superiority.
Although it may lack the advanced stealth features of contemporary fifth-generation fighters, the F-15 makes up for it with strong engineering and impressive power, representing the classic Cold War principle of reliable and straightforward combat effectiveness.
During the Cold War, Soviet aircraft posed significant challenges to Western air superiority. The MiG-23, with its swept-wing design, was deemed superior to the American F-4 Phantom in many respects.
However, it was the MiG-25 Foxbat that truly alarmed Western defense analysts. When the Pentagon first detected the MiG-25 in 1970, its large wing area and dual powerful engines suggested a top-tier air superiority fighter.
The situation became increasingly alarming in March 1971 when Israeli radar systems tracked a Soviet aircraft over the Sinai Peninsula. The aircraft achieved a remarkable Mach 3.2 at altitudes surpassing those of both the F-4 Phantom and the MiG-23. Despite attempts by Israeli pilots to intercept it, the aircraft evaded them effortlessly at speeds exceeding Mach 3.
In response to the emerging threat of the MiG-25, the US Air Force accelerated the development of a dedicated air superiority fighter. Within five years, the F-15 Eagle was introduced, specifically designed to counter the new Soviet threat.
The F-15’s impressive performance includes speeds over Mach 2.5. It is powered by Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 afterburning turbofans that generate more thrust than the aircraft’s drag and weight combined. This extraordinary thrust-to-weight ratio allows the F-15 to accelerate even when climbing vertically.
Additionally, its favorable weight-to-wing area ratio ensures exceptional maneuverability, providing the US Air Force with an aircraft designed to excel in dogfights against powerful opponents like the MiG-25.
However, on September 6, 1976, the United States got its hands on a MiG-25, thanks to Soviet defector Flight Lieutenant Viktor Ivanovich Belenko. This opportunity revealed that the feared Foxbat was not the advanced air superiority fighter it was believed to be.
Instead, the MiG-25 was an interceptor designed for rapid engagement with American bombers, not for agile aerial combat. On the other hand, the F-15 Eagle has proven its mettle in numerous engagements, consistently outperforming its competitors.
Notably, the first air-to-air kill by an F-15 occurred in 1979, achieved by an Israeli pilot. Since then, Israeli F-15s have amassed over 60 confirmed air-to-air kills, solidifying the F-15’s reputation as a dominant force in the skies.
Overall, the fighter jet has achieved over 100 victories with no losses in aerial combat.
Israeli F-15s Vs Syrian MiG-25s
Israel acquired the F-15 Eagle in the mid-1970s to establish and maintain air superiority in the region. Since its introduction in December 1976, the F-15 has already proven itself a formidable fighter.
The first operational test of the F-15’s capabilities came in 1979 during skirmishes over southern Lebanon, where it faced Syrian MiG-21s and MiG-23s.
Syrian pilots flying MiG-21s and MiG-23s quickly realized they were outmatched by the superior F-15s. Despite this, they continued engaging with the Israeli Defense Forces/Air Force (IDF/AF).
In response, by late 1979, Syria introduced the MiG-25P ‘Foxbat-E,’ the world’s fastest interceptor. The MiG-25 was reputed to be the world’s fastest interceptor, designed for high-speed interception rather than dogfighting.
This made it a significant threat to Israeli reconnaissance aircraft, particularly the RF-4E Phantoms, which were unarmed but crucial for intelligence gathering.
On February 13, 1981, the strategic acumen of the Israeli Air Force was put to the test. The Double Tail Squadron, led by Commander Benny Zinker, was tasked with protecting an RF-4C reconnaissance aircraft amidst poor weather conditions.
Despite the weather conditions, Israeli radar systems tracked the incoming MiG-25s, prompting Zinker and his team to prepare for interception.
Flying over the Sea of Galilee, Zinker’s F-15s were vectored towards the Syrian MiG-25. The F-15s, equipped with AIM-7F Sparrow missiles, were ready for the encounter.
As the MiG-25 approached, Zinker launched the first of his missiles from a range of 25 miles. A second missile followed shortly, and Zinker, ensuring a decisive kill, fired a third Sparrow. The engagement was swift, and a massive explosion confirmed the destruction of the MiG-25.
The precise identification of the downed aircraft was initially unclear, but subsequent Soviet reports verified that the destroyed jet was indeed a MiG-25P. This kill demonstrated the F-15’s superior air combat capabilities, even against the formidable MiG-25.
In the days that followed, the Israeli Air Force continued to assert its dominance. On July 29, 1981, Syrian attempts to intercept another RF-4E with MiG-25s and MiG-21s resulted in further losses for the SyAF, with an F-15 pilot successfully downing another MiG-25.
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