It’s a unique stealth fighter that Israel operates that even the US doesn’t fly. It’s a single-engine, single-pilot aircraft originally designed for the US military, but Israel has taken its capabilities to the next level. Yes, we are talking about the F-35I Adir.
Despite unconfirmed and baseless reports of up to 20 F-35 fighters being destroyed in Iranian raids on Israel, the stealth fighters are the backbone of Israeli defense forces or the IDF.
The F-35I, dubbed “Adir” by the Israeli Air Force, meaning “Mighty,” is a customized variant of the F-35 Lightning II.
BREAKING: More than 20 5th generation F-35 fighter jets were destroyed in Israel
Say goodbye to your American taxmoney! pic.twitter.com/bXFeF5IZ9c
— Dr. Anastasia Maria Loupis (@DrLoupis) October 1, 2024
🚨⚡️The Iranian attack reportedly destroyed a number of F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets in Nevatim air base & F-15s in another base, could be Hatzerim.
These warplanes are bombing Gaza and Lebanon on a daily basis, Iran took out a number of them. pic.twitter.com/Tl3iPkgY3c
— MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) October 1, 2024
Some 180 ballistic missiles were launched at Israel on Tuesday night. In a statement to the Israeli media following the attack, the IDF vowed that it would strike forcefully across the Middle East on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin called Iran’s attack on Tuesday an ‘outrageous act of aggression.’
He tweeted: I spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today following today’s outrageous act of aggression by Iran against Israel. The Minister and I expressed mutual appreciation for the coordinated defense of Israel against nearly 200 ballistic missiles launched by Iran and committed to remain in close contact. I also expressed my deepest condolences to the families impacted by the horrific and deadly terrorist shooting in Israel.
The claims of F-35 stealth fighters being destroyed appear to be Iranian propaganda aimed at stirring public opinion and making its strikes sound successful.
The IDF has not made any statement so far on the ‘bizarre claim’; however, the Israeli MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Twitter/X handle) acknowledged the massive attacks on the country with the video below.
𝐍𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐞.
This is Israel right now.
RT this so the entire world knows. pic.twitter.com/ok8CxCXxnP
— Israel ישראל (@Israel) October 1, 2024
Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Mohammad Bagheri, told Press TV that the Nevatim air base, the Netzarim military facility, and the Tel Nof intelligence unit were hit in the Tuesday night attack dubbed ‘Operation True Promise II.’ The Nevtim air base houses Israel’s F-35 fighter jets.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Iran’s missile attack on his country as a “big mistake” and said Tehran would pay for it. “Iran made a big mistake today and will pay for it. The Iranian regime does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to take revenge on our enemies,” he said.
F-35I Adir
While Lockheed Martin’s standard F-35 is already powerful, Israel’s tailored version has proven its effectiveness in combat operations.
This stealth fighter can evade enemy radar, making it a vital component of Israel’s defense arsenal. Its fifth-generation airframe is built to execute a wide range of missions, including electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.
Although the F-35 first flew in the US in 2006 and entered service with the US Marine Corps (F-35B), Air Force (F-35A), and Navy (F-35C) over the next decade, it was Israel that made history as the first to use it in combat. To date, Israel remains the only nation to deploy the F-35 in actual combat operations.
In May 2018, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) became the first operator to deploy the F-35I Adir on offensive missions, targeting Iranian military infrastructure in Syria.
Israel has since continued to use its F-35I fleet in combat, including in 2021 when it became the first to destroy airborne targets, intercepting Iranian UAVs, believed to be Shahed 197 drones, far from Israeli airspace.
Use of F-35I In Ongoing Israel-Hamas Conflict
Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war, the IAF has frequently deployed the F-35I to support operations in Gaza. Following the October 7 massacre, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched numerous airstrikes targeting Hamas.
In November 2023, Israel confirmed that F-35I jets were used to intercept and down a cruise missile, marking their active involvement in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
In July 2024, Israel conducted a retaliatory mission against a drone strike from the Yemen-based Houthi militia in Tel Aviv. The strikes targeted the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah, with the advanced F-35 Adir jets leading the operation. Analysts noted the significance of this mission, as it was carried out 1,700 kilometers from Israel and represented Israel’s first direct strike in Yemen.
Tech Advancements & Customization
What sets the F-35I Adir apart is the extent of customization and technological enhancements implemented by Israel.
The aircraft features a powerful electronic warfare system (EWS) and other modifications specifically designed to meet Israel’s unique security needs. Israeli-made sensors, countermeasures, and helmet-mounted displays further augment the F-35I’s capabilities.
In addition to receiving a surge of spare parts and support from the US, Israel has a unique advantage with its F-35 fleet. It has developed its own sustainment and upgrade system, making it the only country capable of independently testing and deploying modifications— including software updates. The IAF even has a specially configured test F-35 to facilitate these efforts.
A specially configured test F-35 facilitates this level of autonomy, allowing Israel to continually refine and enhance the aircraft’s performance.
Lessons For The Pentagon
Israel’s success with the F-35I Adir has not gone unnoticed by the US. “Israel’s ability to sustain its fleet of F-35I Adir stealth fighters during combat operations against Hamas offers valuable lessons for the United States, particularly regarding potential conflicts in the Pacific,” Pentagon officials accepted during congressional testimony in December 2023.
While the US military operates the F-35, Israel’s initiative to develop its own sustainment and aircraft improvement systems has helped it avoid the readiness issues currently faced by the US Air Force, Marines, and Navy, which reported only 55 percent of their F-35s capable of performing assigned missions as of March, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report.
The Pentagon has expressed concerns about sustaining its F-35 Joint Strike Fighters through a “just-in-time” logistics model. In contrast, Israel demonstrates that an alternative approach is possible.
Former Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak emphasized the importance of local industrial participation, which allowed for the assembly and manufacturing of airframe components domestically.
Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, Program Executive Officer and Director of the F-35 Lightning II Program, praised the Adir’s performance, noting ‘high mission-capable rates’.
Also, Lockheed Martin specifically modified the Adir to meet Israel’s security needs. He stated, “The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is very satisfied with Adir’s performance from a sustainment enterprise. We could learn a lot from them regarding the quickness with which they’re turning airplanes,” referring to the rapid recovery and readiness of jets for new sorties.
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023, “US government and industry personnel have collaborated to meet Israel’s emerging requirements,” mentioned Schmidt.
One key factor in the IAF’s success with the Adirs is the US government’s rapid delivery of spare parts and support to Israel. US Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, highlighted this in his speech, stating, “The F-35 joint program office has moved at breakneck speed to support our closest partner and ally in the Middle East, Israel.”
Ultimately, the ongoing conflict is not only testing the F-35I’s capabilities but also providing the US military with valuable insights into its performance in combat situations.
Israel’s Expansion Of Its F-35 Fleet
In mid-2023, Israel finalized a $3 billion deal to acquire 25 additional F-35 fighter jets from the US, boosting the Israel Defense Forces’ fleet to 75 stealth warplanes. Signed on June 4, the agreement includes the purchase of a third squadron from Lockheed Martin. Israel has already received 39 of the original 50 F-35s ordered, with the deal funded by US military aid to enhance Israel’s military capabilities.
Beyond Gaza Conflict
Notably, the Israeli Air Force is one of 17 countries that operates the F-35. While the aircraft originated in the US, Israel has maximized its potential more effectively than any other user.
It proves that a weapon system’s success relies not only on its specifications but also on the skill and strategies of those who operate it. As conflicts in the Middle East evolve, the F-35I Adir is poised to play a crucial role in Israel’s defense strategy, offering valuable insights for its country of origin as well.
- Shubhangi Palve is a defense and aerospace journalist. Before joining the EurAsian Times, she worked for E.T. Prime. In this capacity, she focused on covering defense strategies and the defense sector from a financial perspective. She offers over 15 years of extensive experience in the media industry, spanning print, electronic, and online domains.
- Contact the author at shubhapalve (at) gmail.com
