Trump Announces 21 New Fighter Jets for Selfridge Air National Guard Base

President Donald Trump says the Air National Guard base in Michigan will play a ‘vital role’ in U.S. national defense.

President Donald Trump speaks during a visit with Michigan Air National Guard troops at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., on April 29, 2025. Scott Olson/Getty Images

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan will receive 21 new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets as replacements for 21 retiring A-10 Warthog aircraft.

“I’ve come in person to lay to rest any doubts about Selfridge’s future and the vital role it will play in our national defense,” Trump said in a speech at the base.

Trump was visiting Michigan to celebrate the first 100 days of his second term in office.

“As commander-in-chief, I’m proud to announce that very soon, we will replace the retiring A-10 Warthogs with 21 brand new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets,” he added. “The best in the world.”

According to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office, the F-15EX fighter jets are expected to begin arriving at Selfridge in fiscal year 2028, in addition to the incoming KC-46A tankers secured last year.

The Selfridge base contributes an estimated $850 million to Michigan’s economy and supports 30,000 jobs in the state. It hosts units from every branch of the U.S. Armed Service, except the Space Force, as well as being a home to homeland security operations, the governor’s office stated.

“This is a huge, bipartisan win for Michigan, decades in the making, that will grow our economy and make our country safer,” Whitmer said in a statement.

Macomb County executive Mark Hackel thanked Trump and said that bringing the F-15EX fighter jets to Selfridge will solidify the base as “Michigan’s premier defense installation.”

“With new facilities, modern infrastructure, dedicated military and civilian personnel, and a new fighter mission, Selfridge will continue to play a critical role in our nation’s defense,” he said.

Built by Boeing, the F-15EX boasts a payload capacity of 29,500 pounds and is designed to serve as a backbone for any tactical fighter fleet, according to Boeing’s website.

The aerospace company stated that the aircraft can shoot targets from a “significantly increased” range, “farther than any other fighter in the U.S. Air Force arsenal.”

Other Air National Guard bases currently operating the F-15EX include the Fresno Air National Guard Base in California, the New Orleans Air National Guard base in Louisiana, and the Portland Air National Guard Base in Oregon.

Meanwhile, Trump announced on March 21 that Boeing would develop the U.S. Air Force’s secretive next-generation fighter jet, which will be named the F-47.

Trump said that an experimental version of Boeing’s F-47 airframe has been flying in secret for nearly five years and that he is confident the aircraft “massively overpowers the capabilities of any other nation.”

Details about the aircraft design remain secret, and Trump said he would not specify the price for the program because it could give hints about the size of the aircraft and some of the technology it will include.

Ryan Morgan contributed to this report.