The Israel Air Force (IAF) announced in September 2015 that the first squadron of F-35 jets was to be established. Israel was the first country outside the United States to receive the F-35. The first nine of 50 ordered by Israel became operational in the IAF at the end of 2017. After receiving three planes in 2023, Israel now has 39. Since then, the IAF has actively engaged these fifth-generation fighters in various operations, including the interception of a cruise missile during the conflict with Hamas in 2023, marking the first known shoot-down of its kind by an F-35.
The F-35I’s advanced capabilities such as stealth, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare offer a significant edge in countering advanced anti-aircraft systems in the region. Based at Nevatim Air Base in southern Israel, the fighters can strike targets in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, most of Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia without any aerial refueling.
The Adir’s performance in Israel is “absolutely outstanding,” Air Force Lt Gen. Michael Schmidt, Program Executive Officer and Director of the F-35 Lightning II Program, testified before a House Armed Services Committee subcommittee. ”Their mission-capable rates are high. Their full mission capable rates are high.”
Schmidt didn’t offer specific numbers but added that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) is “very satisfied with what their performance from a sustainment enterprise is giving them. I think we could learn a lot from them in terms of the quickness with which they’re turning airplanes.” The reference here to ‘turning airplanes’ is about recovering and resetting jets and then launching new sorties. Those lessons are in addition to “all of the things we’re learning ourselves with moving parts around the world in support of a conflict,” he added.
William LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, offered similar sentiments.“Notably in Israel, we see surging sustainment support in operations that maximizes fleet readiness with 35 of 39 Israeli Air Force F-35A aircraft and exceeds expectations in combat,” he said in his written statement. “In many ways, this cooperative program exemplifies best practices for incorporating allies and partners at every phase of defense planning.”
Relevant articles:
– Lockheed Martin F-35 “Adir”, Jewish Virtual Library
– Israel’s F-35I Combat Experience Is Providing Lessons For Future Pacific Fight, twz.com, Dec 13, 2023
– Israeli Air Force F-35s participate in Red Flag for first time, Secretary of the Air Force International Affairs (.mil), Apr 10, 2023
– Israeli F-35Is Providing Close Air Support To Troops In Gaza With 2,000-lb Bombs, The Aviationist, Nov 7, 2023