Israel Takes Delivery of Three More F-35I Stealth Jets, Expanding Adir Fleet to 46

JERUSALEM / WASHINGTON : Israel has taken delivery of three additional fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter jets from the United States, reinforcing the Israeli Air Force’s most advanced combat fleet at a time of heightened regional security challenges.

The aircraft, variants of the F-35A Lightning II customized for Israeli requirements and designated F-35I “Adir,” landed at Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, home to the country’s F-35 squadrons. With the latest arrivals, Israel’s operational Adir fleet has grown to 46 aircraft, according to Israeli defense officials.

The delivery marks another step in Israel’s long-term plan to field one of the largest and most capable F-35 fleets outside the United States.

A Cornerstone of Israeli Air Dominance

Israel became the first country in the world to operate the F-35 in combat after declaring the Adir operational in 2017. Since then, the stealth fighter has become central to Israeli air doctrine, designed to penetrate advanced air-defense systems, gather intelligence, and conduct precision strikes deep inside contested airspace.

Unlike standard export versions, the F-35I features extensive Israeli customization. The aircraft integrates indigenous electronic warfare systems, secure communications suites, and mission software developed by Israel’s defense industry, allowing the air force to rapidly adapt the jet to evolving regional threats.

Israeli officials have repeatedly described the Adir as a “strategic game-changer,” citing its stealth profile, sensor fusion, and ability to operate alongside legacy fighter aircraft and unmanned systems.

The Deal Behind the Jets

Israel has ordered a total of 75 F-35I aircraft under a series of agreements with the United States, executed through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework. The most recent major contract, approved in the mid-2020s, covers an additional 25 aircraft and is valued at approximately $3 billion.

That agreement includes not only the aircraft themselves, but also engines, spare parts, pilot and ground-crew training, maintenance support, and the continued integration of Israeli-specific systems. As with previous F-35 purchases, the deal is largely financed through U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF), underscoring the depth of the U.S.–Israel defense partnership.

The manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, produces the jets in the United States, with final deliveries coordinated through U.S. and Israeli defense authorities.

Delivery Timeline and Future Growth

Israel began receiving its first F-35s in 2016, with deliveries proceeding in small batches over several years. The latest three aircraft are part of that ongoing delivery flow.

Under current planning, deliveries from the 25-aircraft expansion order are expected to begin toward the end of the decade, with aircraft arriving gradually over multiple years. Defense officials have indicated that deliveries will likely occur at a pace of several jets per year, allowing the Israeli Air Force to steadily build toward its goal of three fully equipped F-35 squadrons.

Once all 75 aircraft are delivered, Israel will operate the largest F-35 fleet in the Middle East and one of the largest worldwide.

Strategic Implications

The expanding Adir fleet significantly enhances Israel’s ability to operate independently at long range, particularly against sophisticated air-defense networks. Analysts note that the aircraft’s stealth characteristics and intelligence-gathering capabilities are especially relevant given the spread of advanced radar and missile systems across the region.

At the same time, Israel continues to invest in upgrading older fighter platforms and integrating the F-35 into a broader, networked force structure that includes intelligence assets, missile-defense systems, and cyber capabilities.

For Israeli defense planners, the arrival of each new Adir represents not just an increase in aircraft numbers, but a deepening of a technological edge they view as essential to maintaining air superiority in an increasingly complex strategic environment.

As further deliveries are scheduled in the years ahead, the F-35I “Adir” is set to remain the backbone of Israeli airpower well into the 2030s and beyond.