Israel Announces Expansion of F-35I ‘Adir’ Capabilities
JERUSALEM — The Israeli Ministry of Defense disclosed plans on May 14 to enhance the operational range of the F-35I ‘Adir’ stealth fighters. This development aims to extend the jets’ mission capabilities significantly.
While the defense officials did not provide specific details on the intended range expansion, it is known that the F-35A, the original model from which the F-35I is adapted, achieves a flight range of 1,200 miles according to specifications listed by the manufacturer.
The ministry outlined that the range extension would be accomplished by modifying external fuel tanks. This adaptation will utilize the design principles of the Cyclone external tanks used on the F-16I ‘Sufa’, another Israeli customized version of a U.S. fighter jet, which itself has a range of around 1,300 miles.
The contract for this ambitious project has been awarded to Elbit Systems, an Israeli international defense electronics company, with the deal valued at roughly $34 million, equivalent to 100 million NIS.
This announcement is particularly timely, given the recent cessation of hostilities, described as a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran. It also comes about a month after the Israeli military campaign known as “Lion’s Roar,” during which Israeli forces struck deep inside Iran. A notable highlight of this operation was the F-35I achieving the first-ever air-to-air combat kill of an F-35, successfully downing an Iranian Yak-130, a jet primarily used for training but also capable in light attack roles.
Israel’s commitment to bolstering its air force is evident as it currently operates 50 F-35I aircraft across two squadrons and has started receiving an additional 25 jets ordered in 2023. Early this month, Israel also initiated negotiations to acquire another 25 jets, which would increase their total F-35I fleet to 100 aircraft and expand their squadrons to four.
The F-35I ‘Adir’, a variant of the fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter developed by Lockheed Martin, is specifically customized to meet the stringent requirements of the Israeli Air Force. This aircraft model features not only stealth capabilities and internal weapons carriage but also integrates advanced Israeli technologies in electronic warfare, communications, and computing embedded within the American framework.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
