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US Air Force Plans F-15EX Fleet Expansion

April 21, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

The US Air Force plans to buy 267 F-15EX fighters.
The planned fleet expansion adds 138 aircraft.
The F-15EX is part of the Pentagon's fiscal 2027 budget request.
The budget request seeks $1.5 trillion in total defense resources.

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Strategic Implications

This expansion may signal the Air Force's continued reliance on fourth-generation fighters, which could impact the development of future aircraft programs. The increased funding for the F-15EX suggests a shift in priorities, potentially driven by emerging threats and the need for advanced air defense capabilities.

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What Happened

Boeing Fighter To Play Larger Role In Future Plans

The US Air Force plans to more than double its planned F-15EX Eagle II fleet, with a new target of 267 aircraft. The expansion is part of the Pentagon’s fiscal 2027 budget request, which seeks $1.5 trillion in total defense resources. The F-15EX is an upgraded fourth-generation fighter, built by Boeing, and is expected to play a larger role in the service’s future plans. The Air Force has used the F-15EX primarily to replace older F-15C and F-15D fighters, and the larger fleet plan could also allow the service to begin replacing part of its F-15E Strike Eagle inventory. This development was first reported by AeroTime.

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