The Israel Defense Forces recently announced plans for the “next stage” of its war against the Gaza-based terror group Hamas. Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir stated that the Israeli military will move ahead with the momentum of “Operation Gideon’s Chariots” in an effort to “reshape the security reality” of the Jewish state. Surrounded by hostile neighbors, Israel’s unique security challenges have impacted the nation’s defense expenditure significantly. From fighter jets and air defense systems to drones and main battle tanks, Israel’s arsenal of weapons is arguably the most superior in the Middle East. As Operation Gideon’s Chariots commences, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) will undoubtedly rely heavily on its top-tier aerial fleet in its missions, including the F-15I, F-16I, and F-35I.

Israel’s uniquely modified variant of the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle has served the IAF mightily for decades. Following its initial test flight back in the late 1990s, the F-15I “Ra’am” platform........

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