Hobo wrote:

When the first batch of F-15s were sold to Saudi
Arabia the Israelis
made a big issue of their defense needs and
so the the aircraft were
technologically compromised due to this pressure.
The one change I
remember most clearly is that this first batch
was supposed to be unable
to carry bombs. It seems that since then the
Israelis have let up and we
have sold the Saudis much more advanced versions
of the F-15, including
versions that are capable bombers. However,
the information I have seen
on this is spotty. Just how capable are Saudi
F-15s? I am not referring
to the pilots, crews or upkeep, just the hardware
at the time of
purchase.

TIA
72 birds were sold to Saudi and began delivery in 1995. Two dozen are optimized
for air combat, while 48 were optimized for air-to-mud. Downtuned EW (not
good against Western gear, for example)
However, CFTs, MER racks, GBU-10/12, GBU-15, AGM-65, plus CBUs and Mk-82/84
in quantity. That's for the S version
The Cs delivered in the early 80s had external tanks, and the EW mods, but
otherwise just as capable as the USAF Cs. One known kill against Iran in
1984 and one probable from the same incident (F-4Es were the victim(s)).
Two kills against Iraqi Mirage F-1s in ODS.

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