Revealed: Countries with the most F-15 Eagle fighter jets

The Lockheed Martin F-22 is the best fighter in the US Air Force. The Lockheed Martin F-16 is the most numerous fighter, but the Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle is the workhorse fighter, balancing capability and mass. The F-15 Eagle, originally designed and built by McDonnell Douglas, has been a vital asset in the U.S. Air Force since its introduction to service in 1976. The F-15 has swiftly established itself as a force to be reckoned with due to its exceptional speed, versatility, and firepower. Recognizing its prowess, militaries worldwide have integrated these jets into their arsenals. Notably, the F-15 boasts a flawless combat record, achieving over 100 aerial victories and zero losses since 2007, primarily by the Israeli Air Force (IAF).

The F-15 Eagle is a high-speed aircraft with twin engines that can reach speeds of Mach 2.5. It is equipped with advanced radar and avionics systems, which enable it to detect and engage enemy aircraft from long distances, providing a significant advantage in aerial combat.

In terms of armament, the F-15 Eagle is equipped with a formidable array of weapons, including AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AMRAAM, JATM (To be integrated), Joint Strike Missile (To be integrated), AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER, JASSM, Taurus KEPD 350 missiles, and an M61 20mm automatic cannon. With an operational range of approximately 3,900 km, the F-15 is highly adaptable for diverse mission requirements.

The Air Force’s fleet of 218 F-15E jets, first deployed for Operation Desert Storm in 1991, continues to be highly active. During a recent conflict in which Iran launched numerous drones and missiles at Israel, F-15E jets based in Qatar played a crucial role in the intervention, with some of them firing nine or ten air-to-air missiles each. Israel also deployed its own F-15s in the conflict. It makes sense that, when a crisis flares, the Air Force deploys F-15Es first.

The latest version of the famous F-15 Eagle, the F-15 EX “Eagle II,” can reach speeds of up to 2,225 mph (Mach 2.9) at full throttle. The Air Force plans to purchase 104 of these aircraft. The F-15EX has impressive speed, payload capacity, and range, which has prompted the US Air Force to prepare it for certification with the new Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), making it the first USAF jet capable of employing hypersonic missiles. The F-15EX Eagle II is a formidable fighter jet with the ability to carry approximately 30,000 lbs of munitions, almost eight times the amount the legendary B-17 Flying Fortress bomber could carry.

When configured for combat air patrol, the F-15EX Eagle II can carry an impressive 12 air-to-air munitions, including AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking air-to-air missiles and Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) for beyond-visual range, radar-homing capabilities. In a ground attack configuration, the fighter jet can carry approximately 24 air-to-ground munitions, including a variety of stand-off munitions, cruise missiles, glide bombs, smart bombs, and conventional bombs.

Boeing has recently obtained a license from the U.S. government to offer its F-15EX fighter jet to the Indian Air Force. Boeing will be competing with Sweden’s Gripen and France’s Rafale, among others, as part of the Indian Air Force’s plan to purchase 114 multi-role aircraft to replace its Soviet-era fleet. India and the United States have developed close defense ties, with the Indian military procuring over $20 billion worth of weapons in the last 15 years.

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