World’s Top 5 Air Forces With F-15 Eagle Fighter Jets

The F-15 Eagle, initially developed by McDonnell Douglas in the late 1960s, has been a popular contender among other fighter jets of its size. The aircraft’s design came about when the US Air Force (USAF) sought a jet to specifically fit its need for aerial combat fighters. The first airframe of the aircraft type took flight in the early 70s before its official introduction into service in the mid to late70s. After nearly three decades of production, the F-15 Eagle has been one of the most successful tactical fighters with several primary users.

The fighter jet is powered by two Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines with afterburners, each providing more than 23,400 pounds of thrust. While its payload depends on the mission, the jet can travel at a speed of 1,875 miles per hour (the Mach 2 class) and reach a ceiling of 65,000 feet. Several models have been developed over the years. The A/B models are estimated to cost nearly $28 million, while the C/D variants have a unit cost of nearly $30 million.

According to the USAF, the F-15 has been in service since 1976. As the fighter jet gained popularity, other countries began to acquire examples. With a flawless combat record, the F-15 Eagle has achieved more than 100 aerial victories and zero losses, according to CEOWORLD Magazine. The latest version of the jet, the F-15 EX (Eagle II), is expected to perform even better than the original variants.

Photo: Boeing

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The top five countries currently using the F-15 family of fighters include the US, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Israel, and South Korea, according to data from FlightGlobal. The air forces within each respective country operate different types of the F-15, while also having other fighter jets such as the F-16, F-22, F-35A, and others.

5

United States

377 units

The USAF has an extensive F-15 fleet, utilizing nearly 400 examples as of 2023. It comprises the F-15 C, E, and EX variants and formerly included the D model. According to the Air Force, the F-15C is a single-seater jet, while the F-15D seats two crew members. They both entered service with the USAF in 1979 as improvements from the F-15A and F-15B models.

Photo: United States Air Force

The F-15C, D, and E variants were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 to provide superior combat support in Operation Desert Storm. The F-15Cs accomplished 34 out of the 37 air-to-air victories, while the F-15Es were mainly operated during the overnight hours.

4

Saudia Arabia

211 units

The Royal Saudi Air Force first placed orders for 60 F-15s in 1978 to replace aging fighters. In a sale document released by the US General Accounting Office, the Air Force described the F-15 as “the only readily available United States aircraft that meets the criteria established by the Saudi Arabian Government.” The criteria included two engines, a single crew, and an all-weather shoot-down radar and missile.

Photo: Neuron7618 | Shutterstock

The Air Force’s fleet has grown to more than 200 F-15 examples, comprising the C, S, and SA variants. It is the fighter jet type that it has the most of, behind the Eurofighter Typhoon and Tornado IDS. The Saudi Arabian Government also considered purchasing the F-5 and F-16, but ultimately concluded that the F-15 had “the greatest overall air defense capability.”

3

Japan

155 units

Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has over 150 F-15s in its fleet. Unlike other countries, it only operates one variant of the fighter jet, the F-15J. According to Dutch Aviation Society Scramble, the Air Force selected the Jet as a successor to its fleet of F-4EJs in 1977.

Photo: dreamnikon | Shutterstock

The F-15J models are unique to Japan as they were manufactured under license in the country by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The supersonic, all-weather air superiority fighter variant was based on the F-15C with some modifications made such as radar warning, according to Mitsubishi. The first F-15J was delivered to JASDF in 1981.

2

Israel

66 units

Israel Air and Space Force has nearly 70 F-15 examples, including the F-15A, C, and I models. According to the Jewish Virtual Library, the fighter jet first entered service in 1978 and covered Israeli ground operations in Southern Lebanon. On July 27, 1979, the aircraft scored its first air-to-air victory.

Photo: Andreas Zeitler | Shutterstock

Israel has purchased a total of 104 F-15s over the years. The F-15I was the latest model to join its fleet. It is equipped with a single squadron, which is a slight downgrade from the F-15E variant. Decades after the fighter jet first arrived at the Air Force, the F-15 continues to be Israel’s primary air fighter and is likely to remain in the role for several years.

1

South Korea

59 units

The Republic of South Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has nearly 60 F-15 examples, but, like Japan, it only operates one model of the fighter jet – the F-15K. This variant is an advanced model of the F-15E and can conduct long-range precision strike missions during the daytime or nighttime hours in all weather conditions, according to Air Force Technology.

Photo: Boeing

The ROKAF selected the F-15K in April 2002 for a price tag of $42 billion as part of its Next Generation Fighter Program. It performed its first flight in March 2005, and the first two examples were delivered in October of that year. By 2008, all initial deliveries had concluded, but the ROKAF also placed orders for 21 additional F-15Ks under its Next Fighter II program.

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