Israel Plans Massive Expansion of F-35 Fleet, Aiming to Reach 100 Advanced Fighter Jets

By: Carl Schwartzbaum

In a sweeping and consequential decision that underscores a profound recalibration of national defense priorities, the State of Israel has embarked upon one of the most ambitious military procurement initiatives in its history. As reported on Sunday by The Jerusalem Post, the Israeli government has approved a dramatic expansion of its aerial combat capabilities, doubling both its fleet of advanced F-35 Lightning II aircraft and its next-generation F-15EX Eagle II derivatives, known in Israel as the F-15IA.

This landmark move, which will see Israel increase its F-35 fleet from approximately 50 to 100 aircraft and expand its F-15IA acquisition from 25 to 50 units, is not merely a procurement decision. It is, as The Jerusalem Post report emphasized, a defining statement of strategic intent in a post–October 7 reality—a world reshaped by unprecedented security challenges, evolving threats, and the sobering lessons of sustained conflict.

The scale of the decision is staggering. Israel’s defense establishment has committed to an additional NIS 350 billion in military expenditure over the coming decade, a figure that will be layered atop an already expanded annual defense budget that has surged from under NIS 100 billion to nearly NIS 150 billion. According to the information provided in The Jerusalem Post report, this financial commitment represents a seismic shift in long-term planning, signaling the government’s determination to maintain overwhelming military superiority in an increasingly volatile region.

Prior to the events of October 7 and the subsequent conflicts that unfolded, Israel’s defense planners faced a difficult dilemma: whether to prioritize the stealth-driven capabilities of the F-35 or invest in the heavy payload and extended range of the F-15IA. Budgetary constraints once made the simultaneous expansion of both fleets an impractical aspiration.

That debate has now been decisively resolved.

Following two successive confrontations with Iran within a single year—conflicts in which both aircraft platforms proved indispensable—the Israeli government has elected to pursue a comprehensive expansion strategy that embraces the complementary strengths of each system. As The Jerusalem Post report noted, this decision reflects not only operational experience but also a recognition that future conflicts will demand versatility across multiple domains.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Ministerial Committee on Procurement has authorized the acquisition of two new fighter squadrons: a fourth F-35 squadron from Lockheed Martin and a second F-15IA squadron from Boeing. These agreements, valued at tens of billions of shekels, encompass not only the aircraft themselves but also full integration into the Israeli Air Force, along with comprehensive maintenance, logistics, and sustainment packages.

According to The Jerusalem Post report, the initiative forms the cornerstone of a broader force buildup plan designed to prepare Israel for what officials describe as a “demanding decade” ahead.

Defense Minister Israel Katz articulated the strategic rationale with clarity, stating that recent military operations had once again demonstrated the decisive role of airpower. “The lessons of that campaign require us to keep pressing forward on force buildup,” he said, emphasizing the imperative of ensuring air superiority for decades to come.

Central to this expansion is the F-35, a fifth-generation fighter renowned for its stealth capabilities, advanced sensor fusion, and unparalleled intelligence-gathering systems. As The Jerusalem Post has  reported, the aircraft has already become the linchpin of Israel’s aerial strategy.

Since its operational debut in Israel in 2017, the F-35 has accumulated more than 15,000 flight hours across multiple theaters, from Iran and Syria to Yemen, Lebanon, and Gaza. Its ability to penetrate sophisticated air defense systems, including Iran’s S-300 and potentially even the more advanced S-400, has rendered it an indispensable asset in high-risk operations.

During recent conflicts, the aircraft played a pivotal role in neutralizing Iranian radar installations and air defense networks in successive waves of strikes. The Jerusalem Post report highlighted that these operations demonstrated not only the aircraft’s offensive capabilities but also its adaptability. Israeli engineers modified the F-35 to deploy JDAM munitions from its wings—a significant deviation from its original design—thereby enhancing its operational flexibility.

While the F-35 represents the cutting edge of stealth warfare, the F-15IA fulfills a different but equally critical role. Derived from the advanced F-15EX platform, this aircraft offers exceptional payload capacity, extended range, and the ability to carry heavy ordnance over long distances.

Israel’s existing fleet of F-15 aircraft, many of which date back to the 1970s, has long served as a cornerstone of its airpower. However, as The Jerusalem Post report noted, the aging nature of these aircraft necessitates replacement.

The acquisition of 50 F-15IA units will ensure that Israel retains its capacity for deep-strike missions, including potential operations targeting distant adversaries. These aircraft are expected to be delivered gradually, with full operational integration likely extending into the early or mid-2030s.

The emerging composition of Israel’s air force reflects a carefully calibrated balance. By the end of the procurement cycle, Israel is expected to field approximately 100 F-35 aircraft, over 100 upgraded F-16 fighters, and at least 50 F-15IA units, with some legacy platforms potentially remaining in service.

This multi-tiered structure is designed to provide maximum operational flexibility. The F-35 will handle high-risk penetration and intelligence missions, the F-15IA will deliver heavy payloads over long distances, and the upgraded F-16 fleet will provide versatile support across a range of scenarios.

Complementing this structure is the acquisition of Boeing KC-46 Pegasus tankers, which will significantly enhance Israel’s aerial refueling capabilities. These aircraft will extend the operational reach of Israeli fighters, enabling sustained missions far beyond the country’s borders.

The expansion is a central pillar of the so-called “Shield of Israel” plan—a long-term strategy aimed at securing the country’s qualitative military edge. According to The Jerusalem Post report, this vision encompasses not only conventional airpower but also the integration of cutting-edge technologies, including autonomous flight systems and advanced space-based capabilities.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored the importance of this initiative, declaring that Israel must remain “much stronger than our enemies.” He emphasized that Israeli pilots possess the capability to operate anywhere within Iran’s airspace, a statement that reflects both confidence in current capabilities and determination to expand them further.

The decision to pursue simultaneous expansion of both aircraft fleets is rooted in the lessons of recent conflict. The wars with Iran revealed the necessity of combining stealth penetration with heavy strike capacity—a dual capability that no single platform can fully provide.

As The Jerusalem Post report observed, these experiences have fundamentally reshaped Israel’s defense calculus. The era of incremental upgrades and constrained budgets has given way to a more expansive approach, driven by the recognition that future conflicts may be broader, more technologically complex, and more demanding than ever before.

In a noteworthy aside, Prime Minister Netanyahu hinted at the possibility of Israel developing its own fighter aircraft—a concept that evokes memories of the country’s aborted Lavi program in the 1980s. While details remain scarce, and officials have yet to clarify the feasibility of such an endeavor, the suggestion reflects a broader ambition to enhance strategic independence.

Whether this ambition will translate into concrete action remains uncertain. The financial and technological challenges of developing a domestically produced fighter jet are formidable, as history has demonstrated.

Israel’s decision to dramatically expand its air force marks a defining moment in its defense trajectory. As chronicled in depth by The Jerusalem Post, the initiative represents a bold commitment to maintaining military superiority in an increasingly uncertain world.

It is a decision shaped by experience, driven by necessity, and executed with a clear vision of the challenges ahead. In doubling its fleet of advanced fighter aircraft, Israel is not merely responding to present threats—it is preparing for a future in which the skies will remain a decisive arena of power.

The implications of this expansion will resonate far beyond Israel’s borders, influencing regional dynamics and shaping the strategic calculations of allies and adversaries alike. For now, one conclusion is unmistakable: Israel has chosen to meet the demands of a new era with unprecedented resolve