Israel will soon order an additional 25 F-15 jet fighters from the U.S. over and above the original 25 ordered, some of which have already been delivered, the Jerusalem Post reported exclusively today. The original 25 cost “a reported $650 million” and Israel had been offered “highly favorable terms” for buying the second batch, the Post said.
In ordering the second batch Israel would be exercising an option it has had since ordering the first 25 early last year. The F-15 is regarded as one of the most advanced fighter planes in the world. When the first three were delivered last December, Chief of Staff Gen. Mordechai Gur said possession of these planes would radically change Israel’s war capacity.
The Post noted that the F-15 decision–expected to be finalized within two or three weeks–“is independent of an informal Israeli request for details of the terms of purchase of the General Dynamics F-16, a lighter, less expensive fighter plane which the Israeli Air Force is considering to replace its aging Phantoms and Skyhawks.”
The F-15 is manufactured by the McDonnell Douglas Corp., makers of the Phantom. According to the Post, the company is particularly interested in the new Israeli order in order to ensure that full production is maintained.
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