the F-15 has more thrust then weight, one of very few planes that do. it doesn't need much from wings for lift, mostly just for flight control. it is also one of the few planes that can accelerate straight up.
Side note:
It looks like the IAF has upgraded engines to the GE F110-129 (also used in the USAF F-16 viper) which are 29,000 lbs of thrust each. the USAF's F-15s use only the older PW F100-200 which are 24,000 lbs of thrust each.
They do have variable exhaust nozzles, but not thrust vectoring.
In a former life in the USAF I worked on the GE F110-129 engines that were used to flight test the F-15 with upgraded engines. it was a joint project with GE and the USAF, the USAF apparently never upgraded our planes though, probably becuase of the F-22 coming online.
I've also checked out the ACTIVE's engines up close. very cool but very complicated thrust vectoring system. it's unique to the ACTIVE only.
anyone notice the "A4" in the video is really an F100 super sabre? I love it when they use the wrong stick footage!!