Israel "craves" F-47 and is determined not to lose the upper hand

Concerned that Arab countries might acquire the F-35, Israel is eyeing the F-47 fighter jet to maintain its military edge in the Middle East.

According to Israel's Jerusalem Post on July 28, the Israeli Defense Ministry is closely monitoring the US F-47 sixth-generation fighter program, especially its air superiority capabilities, to maintain a military advantage in the region, especially as potential regional rivals step up weapons development.

Currently, Israel is the only country in the region with a combat-ready fleet of F-35Is, while rivals like Türkiye and Saudi Arabia still lag behind in air force technology. The F-47’s track record shows that Israel wants to stay a generation ahead, especially in the context of Türkiye’s development of the KAAN fighter and Saudi Arabia’s participation in the GCAP project with the UK, Japan and Italy.

The F-47 is part of the NGAD program, a 6th generation fighter development program of the US Air Force, to maintain air superiority in future warfare environments, expected to be operational in the 2030s, developed by Boeing and announced by President Trump in March 2025.

The F-47 fighter jet integrates advanced stealth technology, artificial intelligence and the ability to coordinate with UAVs, surpassing the current F-35. Although there has been no official confirmation of the purchase negotiations, Israel's interest in the F-47 reflects its strategy to maintain military advantage in the Middle East.

The F-47 will have a combat radius of about 1,800 km and be capable of reaching speeds of over 2,500 km/h. The jet is expected to cost between $170-300 million per version and enter service between 2027 and 2029. The US is currently aiming to produce about 185 of the aircraft and add large squadrons of drones.

For Israel, the F-47 presents both a strategic opportunity and a financial challenge. Israeli officials are eyeing the program not only for its technical capabilities, but also for its potential role in future US-Israeli military cooperation.

No formal export policy or specifications for foreign customers have been announced yet, but statements from President Donald Trump indicate a willingness to consider “stripped-down” versions of the aircraft for allies. Trump has proposed downgrading export models by about 10 percent to protect against future geopolitical shifts.

Although the US has not officially offered the F-47 to Israel, some defense analysts believe it could become a suitable replacement, given that if the US sells downgraded F-35s to Arab countries starting in 2030, Israel could lose its military edge.

However, the F-47 is still in the development stage with high costs and complex logistical requirements. It is unclear whether the US is ready to provide a full version to Israel, especially when it needs to balance relations with Gulf countries.

In addition, in some cases, Israeli defense planners are also looking at the potential of Lockheed Martin's F-55, a proposed "5th generation+" fighter that could serve as a more affordable bridge to sixth-generation capabilities.

Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet has stated that the F-55 will incorporate advanced technologies originally intended for NGAD, providing up to 80 percent of the F-47’s capabilities at half the cost. The platform will retain stealth, enhance situational awareness through upgraded sensors, and be optimized for rapid production and integration with existing fleets.

The changing regional strategic landscape makes it clear that Israel cannot afford to wait to diversify its fighter procurement options. Whether Israel ultimately chooses the F-47, the F-55, or a multinational development effort, its leadership remains committed to preserving its air superiority through the 2030s and beyond.

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