The F-15I Ra’am: The Backbone of the Israeli Air Force
Even as newer planes are coming online, such as the F-35I and even the F-15EX, Israel continues relying upon the Ra’am above all the other options it has.
The F-15I Ra’am, known as “Thunder” in Hebrew, stands as a reminder of the enduring alliance between the United States and Israel. A fourth-generation warplane, the F-15I story begins in the mid-1990s, when Israel sought to bolster its long-range strike capabilities.
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) already operated the F-15A and F-15C variants, which had proven their worth in conflicts like the 1982 Lebanon War, where Israeli pilots achieved an astounding kill ratio against Syrian MiGs. Evolving threats to Israel, however, notably the proliferation of advanced air defenses and the need to hit distant targets, prompted Israel to see a more capable platform.
After a competitive evaluation pitting the F-15 against the F-16, Israeli selected a modified version of the F-15E Strike Eagle, designated the F-15I.
The Ra’am’s History & Specifications
Israel ordered the plane in 1994, with the first 25 aircraft delivered in 1998. Priced at approximately $2 billion for the package, the Ra’am incorporated significant Israeli input, integrating locally developed avionics and systems to align with the IAF’s operational doctrine.
This collaboration between Boeing and Israeli defense firms, like Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), ensured that the jet was not just another off-the-shelf purchase but a truly unique system tailored to Israel’s specific strategic needs.
The F-15I retains the core attributes of the F-15E. It has twin Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines powering it, a dynamic airframe that can withstand 9G maneuvers, and a top speed exceeding Mach 2.5. Yet it distinguishes itself with enhancements tailored for precision strikes and survivability in highly contested airspace.
One of the F-15I’s best features is its sophisticated avionics package. These planes come equipped with APG-70 radar, which provides high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mapping for ground targeting, alongside exceptional air-to-air tracking capabilities.
F-15Is incorporate indigenous Israeli-developed systems, such as the Elbit display and sight helmet (DASH), allowing pilots to lock onto targets simply by looking at them—a significant advantage in dogfights and strike missions alike.
Additionally, the F-15I features an advanced electronic warfare suite, including jamming pods and countermeasures, to evade enemy radar and missiles.
With a combat radius exceeding 1,000 miles augmented by conformal fuel tanks, the F-15I can bring an impressive payload of up to 18,000 pounds of armaments into battle. This includes a wide array of precision-guided munitions (such as Joint Direct Attack Munitions, JDAMs), laser-guided bombs, and long-range standoff weapons such as the Popeye missile. This versatility allows the Ra’am to engage both air and ground targets with devastating lethality, making it a true multirole platform.
The F-15I Is a Cornerstone of the IAF
Since taking wing with the IAF, the Ra’am has become the cornerstone of the IAF. Much of its operational history remains classified, but analysts believe that the F-15I has participated in several key operations, such as Operation Orchard, the 2007 airstrike that destroyed a suspected nuclear reactor in Syria.
The mission showcased the F-15I’s ability to penetrate deep into hostile territory, deliver precision strikes, and return undetected—a feat requiring both stealth tactics and raw performance.
The Ra’am has also been a key player in Israel’s ongoing fight against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon as well as other Iranian-supported terror groups. Its long-range capabilities and heavy payload capacity make it ideal for targeting weapons caches, tunnels, and infrastructure in Lebanon. These capabilities will certainly be brought to bear if the Israelis ultimately opt to strike suspected nuclear weapons facilities in Iran.
In exercises like the annual Blue Flag drills, the F-15I has demonstrated its prowess alongside allied air forces, reinforcing its reputation as a force multiplier.
Even as newer planes are coming online, such as the F-35I and even the F-15EX, Israel continues relying upon the Ra’am above all the other options it has. That’s because the F-15I has proven itself repeatedly—and in all likelihood will continue serving as the backbone of the IAF for many more years to come.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Andreas Zeitler.