JERUSALEM — In a strategic move to enhance its aerial capabilities, Israel’s defense ministry revealed plans on May 14 to extend the range of its F-35I ‘Adir’ stealth fighter jets.
While the exact range target remains undisclosed, the current F-35A model, which serves as the basis for Israel’s version, boasts a range of 1,200 miles according to the manufacturer’s website.
The ministry announced that the range extension initiative will involve the adaptation of external fuel tanks. These tanks will be modeled after the Cyclone design used for the F-16I “Sufa,” an Israeli variant of the F-16, known to cover approximately 1,300 miles.
Elbit Systems has been awarded a contract valued at around $34 million (100 million NIS) to spearhead the development process.
This development occurs against the backdrop of a delicate ceasefire between the United States and Iran. It follows about a month after the “Lion’s Roar” military operation, where Israeli forces targeted locations deep within Iran. During this operation, an F-35I marked a historic moment by achieving the first air-to-air kill credited to an F-35 in combat, downing an Iranian Yak-130, a Russian-made jet trainer used in light-attack roles.
Israel’s current fleet of F-35I aircraft consists of 50 jets operating in two squadrons. In 2023, Israel initiated the delivery of an additional 25 jets and has signaled intentions to negotiate the purchase of 25 more, potentially increasing the fleet to 100 aircraft across four squadrons.
The F-35I “Adir” stands as a fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter, developed by Lockheed Martin and uniquely customized for the Israeli Air Force. This aircraft integrates stealth technology, advanced data fusion, and internal weapons systems, complemented by Israeli-engineered electronic warfare, communication, and computing systems integrated into the American-made infrastructure.
