USAF nearly doubles F-15EX buy despite cost hike

We summarize the day’s news in our own words. Full credit to the outlets below for the original reporting, click through to read their work:

• Residents must flee Kostiantynivka on foot as vehicles face Russian strikes - The New Voice of Ukraine (ISW)
• Russian strikes kill 4 in Ukraine as Zelenskyy’s defense shake-up sparks anger - AP News (AP Top News)
• Ukraine’s potential Justice Minister Maslov defends judicial reform amid criticism - The Kyiv Independent (Kyiv Independent)
• Russia attacked the port of Mykolaiv with drones: three foreign vessels damaged, two dead - Українські Національні Новини (УНН) (ISW)
• Russia is watching NATO drills, ISW warns - RBC-Ukraine (ISW)
• Russia Can Afford the Ukraine War. It May Not Be Able to Afford Peace (19FortyFive)
• The US Air Force Just Doubled Its F-15EX Buy to 267 Jets. The Non-Stealth Eagle Now Costs About as Much as the Stealthy F-35 It Backs Up. (19FortyFive)
• Trump alleges China meddled in 2020 election and questions voting security ahead of midterms (BBC World)
• European Politics: Fact check: Russian disinforma­tion takes aim at Poland-ukraine rift | The Kyiv Independen­t - PressReader (ISW)
• Russia’s cutting-edge drone upgrade is a $2 camping compass (Defence Blog)
• Why is the US attacking southern Iran’s civilian infrastructure? (Al Jazeera)
• Ukraine Knocks Out Tu-95 Bomber Used to Rain Missiles on Ukrainian Cities (Kyiv Post Defense)

Welcome to Battlespace Daily. This is episode 19 for July 17, 2026, your daily brief on defense technology, autonomous systems, and the programs shaping American strength.

The United States Air Force has dramatically increased its planned acquisition of F-15EX Eagle Two fighter jets, nearly doubling the program of record from one hundred twenty-nine aircraft to two hundred sixty-seven. This represents the largest fighter-buy reversal in years, according to 19FortyFive. The F-15EX was initially pitched as an affordable complement to the stealthy F-35 Lightning Two, but its flyaway cost has reportedly climbed by nearly twenty percent, now sitting in the mid-ninety-million-dollar range, which some analysts say puts it on par with the F-35. Despite the cost increase, the Air Force is reportedly proceeding with the expanded purchase, with officials citing a need for capacity, the F-15EX’s twenty-thousand-hour airframe lifespan, and its ability to carry a larger weapons payload than the stealth fleet. This decision, according to some observers, is seen as signaling a shift in Air Force procurement strategy, with some suggesting it prioritizes quantity and payload capacity alongside stealth capabilities, particularly as global tensions rise and the demand for air superiority assets intensifies across multiple potential theaters of conflict.

THE BRIEF

Russia has reportedly begun integrating basic magnetic compasses into its drones to counter satellite jamming, according to a Ukrainian radio technology specialist. This low-tech solution aims to mitigate the impact of electronic warfare that has cost the Kremlin numerous drones. The move, reported by Defence Blog, suggests a pragmatic, if rudimentary, approach to maintaining drone functionality in contested electromagnetic environments, highlighting the ongoing cat-and-mouse game in modern electronic warfare.

Ukraine’s SBU, its security service, claims to have destroyed a Russian Tu-ninety-five strategic bomber at the Engels air base, approximately eight hundred kilometers from Ukrainian territory. The Kyiv Post Defense reports this was achieved via a drone strike. Ukrainian President Zelensky called the operation another successful “long-range sanction,” noting that the aircraft had been used in missile attacks against Ukraine. This strike, if confirmed, demonstrates Ukraine’s continued ability to project force deep into Russian territory, targeting high-value assets.

THE READ

The Air Force’s decision to nearly double its F-15EX Eagle Two buy to two hundred sixty-seven jets, despite the aircraft’s rising cost, is a pivotal moment in US air power strategy. For years, the F-35 was positioned as the future of the Air Force fighter fleet, with its stealth capabilities and advanced sensor fusion. The F-15EX was initially conceived as a stopgap, a relatively inexpensive way to replace aging F-15C/D models and provide additional capacity. However, as 19FortyFive points out, the F-15EX’s flyaway cost has now reportedly climbed to the mid-ninety-million-dollar range, making it, according to some analyses, roughly equivalent in price to the F-35. This, some argue, may diminish the primary cost advantage that was a cornerstone of its original acquisition argument.

Here’s the read: This isn’t just about replacing old airframes; it’s a strategic recalibration. Some analysts suggest the Air Force may be acknowledging that a pure stealth fleet, while crucial for penetrating advanced air defenses, might not be sufficient for the scale and diversity of potential future conflicts. The F-15EX offers a different set of advantages. Its twenty-thousand-hour airframe life means it can fly for decades, providing a durable and reliable platform. The F-15EX can reportedly carry a significantly larger and more diverse weapons payload than the F-35, including a greater number of air-to-air munitions. This capacity is vital for sustained air combat operations and for acting as a “missile truck” that can launch weapons for stealth platforms operating closer to the front lines.

Some observers suggest this expanded buy indicates a recognition that future conflicts, particularly against peer or near-peer adversaries, could involve high attrition rates and a need for both stealthy penetration and sheer firepower. The Air Force is reportedly betting on a high-low mix, but with both components now operating at a high-cost point. This, some analysts suggest, also reflects a broader trend in defense planning, where the sheer volume of munitions and platforms is becoming as critical as individual platform capabilities, especially given the lessons learned from conflicts like the one in Ukraine, where missile and drone consumption rates are extremely high.

The decision to invest so heavily in a non-stealth platform, even at a premium price, is seen by some as indicating a pragmatic assessment of future warfighting needs, prioritizing robust, long-endurance, and heavily armed aircraft to complement the stealth fleet. It’s a clear signal that the Air Force is preparing for a future where both quality and quantity will be essential for maintaining air dominance.

FOLLOW THE MONEY AND FORCE

The US Air Force’s decision to nearly double its F-15EX Eagle Two procurement to two hundred sixty-seven aircraft represents a significant allocation of defense spending. With flyaway costs now in the mid-ninety-million-dollar range per jet, this expanded buy will commit billions of dollars over the coming years. This investment underscores a strategic pivot towards increasing the overall capacity and payload capabilities of the fighter fleet, even at a higher per-unit cost than originally projected. The F-15EX, with its twenty-thousand-hour airframe, is intended to serve as a durable workhorse, complementing the F-35’s stealth and advanced sensor capabilities.

On the ground, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to drive defense spending and force deployments. The destruction of a Russian Tu-ninety-five strategic bomber at the Engels air base, as reported by the Kyiv Post Defense, highlights Ukraine’s continued investment in long-range drone capabilities. This successful strike, eight hundred kilometers into Russian territory, demonstrates the effectiveness of these systems in targeting high-value assets and imposing costs on the adversary. Such operations require significant intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets, as well as the drones themselves, representing a substantial commitment of resources.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reports on US actions targeting civilian infrastructure in southern Iran. Analysts suggest these actions could be aimed at disrupting Iran’s supply lines or curbing its influence in the Strait of Hormuz. While the specific nature of these actions and their financial cost are not detailed, any sustained campaign against infrastructure would involve significant intelligence gathering, planning, and the deployment of various assets, from air power to cyber capabilities, indicating a substantial allocation of resources to counter Iranian regional influence.

In a more low-tech but impactful development, Russia’s reported integration of basic magnetic compasses into its drones, as noted by Defence Blog, is a cost-effective measure to counter sophisticated satellite jamming. While the individual cost of a compass is negligible, the widespread adoption of such a solution across Russia’s drone fleet represents a strategic investment in maintaining operational continuity in the face of electronic warfare. This pragmatic approach aims to preserve the functionality of expensive drone assets that would otherwise be rendered useless by jamming, thereby extending the utility of existing investments.

WHAT TO WATCH

Tomorrow, we’ll be closely watching for any further details or official confirmations regarding Ukraine’s claimed drone strike on the Russian Tu-ninety-five bomber at Engels air base. The Kyiv Post Defense reported the SBU’s claim, and if independently verified, this would mark a significant success for Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities and could prompt a Russian response or a re-evaluation of their air defense posture around strategic assets. The operational implications for both sides are substantial.

We’ll also be monitoring the broader impact of Russian drone attacks, such as the one on Mykolaiv reported by Ukrainian National News, especially concerning international shipping and humanitarian aid.

Finally, the political and economic ramifications of the conflict in Ukraine will continue to unfold. 19FortyFive’s analysis suggests Russia’s war economy, while currently sustainable, faces significant challenges with peace, potentially leading to an armistice without full demobilization. This dynamic could shape future negotiations and the long-term stability of the region, and any indicators of shifts in Russia’s economic or political calculus will be critical to observe.

That’s all for today’s Battlespace Daily. We’ll be back tomorrow with more analysis on the cutting edge of defense technology and global security.

That’s the brief for today. Follow Battlespace Daily wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss tomorrow’s edition. Stay sharp, and we’ll see you next time.