Three new F-35I “Adir” fighter jets have landed at the Nevatim Air Force Base and have been officially incorporated into the Israeli Air Force inventory. The aircraft, manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin, are part of the ongoing procurement program to strengthen Israel’s aerial combat readiness.

The new jets will be assigned to the two existing F-35 squadrons of the Air Force and already carry the Israeli Air Force (IAF) insignia. With their induction, the operational fleet is approaching the full scope of the aircraft ordered to date. The goal is to completely equip the existing squadrons and, in a subsequent step, to establish an additional squadron.

Since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023, the F-35I “Adir” system has been operating at high intensity across various fronts. The aircraft carry out both defensive and offensive missions and are considered a central element of Israeli air superiority. Thanks to their stealth capabilities, advanced sensor suite, and avionics specially adapted for Israel, they play a key role in complex operations within an increasingly dense threat environment.

The arrival of the three new aircraft is intended not only to reduce the operational strain on the existing fleet but also to ensure the Air Force’s long-term readiness. In a period of sustained military tension, this reinforcement sends a clear message: Israel continues to invest consistently in its strategic capabilities and in securing its freedom of action from the air.

The delivery also underscores the close military cooperation between Israel and the United States. For the Israeli Air Force, every additional “Adir” jet means one thing above all: greater operational depth, more flexibility, and expanded room for maneuver—especially at a time when the air forces are being challenged almost daily.

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