Israel faces ongoing regional security challenges, notably from Iran. To bolster its military advantage in the skies, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) has upgraded by incorporating the F-35I Adir, a tailored version of the Lockheed Martin Lightning II fighter jet.
Israel Aircraft Industries produced the Kfir in the 1970s, but they were phased out of service by the 1990s. Currently, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) relies on American-made 4th Generation F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons for both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. To stay competitive in the 5th Generation fighter arena, Israel is now focusing on stealth capabilities with the F-35I variant of the Lockheed Martin Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.
The F-35I is a departure from Lockheed Martin’s usual non-modification stance. Israel has the capability to engage its domestic defense contractors in procuring the jets, leading to notable improvements. The F-35I incorporates cutting-edge Israeli hardware like advanced helmet sets, wings, and a distinctive electronic warfare system that supports ‘plug-and-play’ functionality for add-ons like air-to-air missiles and electronic warfare pods.
Israel’s F-35s became operational in 2017 and saw their inaugural combat use in 2018. In July, Israel finalized a purchase agreement for 25 more of these aircraft, aiming to possess a total of 75 fifth-generation planes in due course.”We are flying the F-35 all over the Middle East and have already attacked twice on two different fronts,” stated Aluf Amikam Norkin, then-Commander of the IAF. Furthermore, in March 2021, the IAF employed its F-35Is in air-to-air combat, successfully downing two Iranian UAVs that posed a threat to Israeli territory.
“In recent days, a cruise missile launched from the southeast toward Israeli airspace was detected by the IAF’s control and detection systems. After tracking the cruise missile’s trajectory, Adir fighter jets were scrambled and successfully intercepted the missile,” the IDF said today, while releasing video of the incident.The cruise missile was probably launched by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, although the IDF did not specify the launch site. While Israel did not mention the weapon used to intercept the incoming cruise missile, Israel’s F-35I variants are equipped with both the AIM-9X Sidewinder and Aim-120 AMRAAM missiles.
Defense analyst Tyler Rogoway emphasized the importance of the extended range for Israel, stating that Iranian targets could be up to 1,700 miles away from Israeli borders.”Their global reach is a pillar of deterrence against would-be aggressors,” he explained. The IAF’s capacity to strike over great distances must be credible and reliable.
Rogoway, however, remains skeptical about heavy modifications of the Israeli F-35 and their impact on the airframe.he said “It is not clear exactly what such an apparatus would look like, or how it would impact the F-35’s low radar signature and already somewhat paltry kinematics. There is also the question of airframe fatigue induced by mounting thousands of pounds of gas where it was never intended to be placed. Still, the IAF’s lust for the extended range will likely trump these concerns.”
Relevant articles:
– F-35I Adir: Israel’s Special Stealth Fighter Even the U.S. Doesn’t Have, The National Interest
– 35I to shoot down cruise missile, a first for Joint Strike Fighter, Breaking Defense
– Israeli ‘Adir’ A Heavily Modified Variant Of F-35 Stealth Jet Proved Its Mettle Against Hamas, EurAsian Times, May 23, 2021
– 35I to shoot down cruise missile, a first for Joint Strike Fighter, Breaking Defense, Nov 2, 2023