Israel strengthened its air defense capabilities this week as three new F-35i “Adir” stealth fighter jets arrived at Nevatim Airbase, joining the Israeli Air Force’s (IAF) Golden Eagle Squadron (140th). The delivery, part of an ongoing strategic buildup, comes as Israel faces multifront threats from Iranian-backed terror organizations, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, who have escalated hostilities since the October 7th, 2023 massacre—the deadliest antisemitic atrocity committed since the Holocaust.
The newly delivered F-35i jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin and built to unique Israeli specifications, are designed to support both defensive and offensive operations. Since the beginning of hostilities, Israel’s F-35i squadrons have maintained an operational tempo described by military officials as unprecedented, participating in missions ranging from precision strikes on terror infrastructure to rapid defensive responses against incoming rocket, drone, and missile attacks.
Israel’s Ministry of Defense and the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit emphasized that the fresh arrivals will help maintain operational continuity. With the region’s security environment increasingly volatile—marked by persistent attacks from Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and other Iranian proxies across the Middle East—the timely absorption of new technology is considered vital to Israel’s national security.
Expanding the Adir Fleet: Strategic Rationale
The F-35i “Adir” jets represent both U.S.-Israel defense cooperation and homegrown military innovation. Israel is the only country outside the United States to operate a modified F-35 variant, featuring Israeli integration of avionics, electronic warfare systems, and weapons.
The jets’ stealth and sensor fusion capabilities allow IAF pilots to operate effectively in contested airspace, providing critical real-time intelligence and enabling precision engagement of terrorist targets while minimizing civilian risk. The growing Adir fleet acts as a force multiplier, expanding Israel’s operational reach from Gaza and southern Lebanon to distant theaters where Iranian-backed militias stage attacks.
Operational Achievements and Regional Deterrence
Since October 7, Israel’s F-35i squadrons have played a decisive role in hundreds of air operations, including targeted strikes on Hamas command centers, weapons depots, and cross-border launch sites. The IAF’s ability to react quickly to intelligence cues—striking imminent threats before they can materialize—has thwarted multiple large-scale attacks by terror organizations.
Analysts note the strategic impact extends beyond immediate tactical gains. The presence of a rapidly deployable, technologically superior fighter fleet reinforces deterrence, sending a clear message to Iran and its proxies that attacks on Israeli civilians will be met with swift and decisive retaliation.
Supporting the Ground Campaign and Hostage Rescue
In addition to air superiority and interdiction, the F-35i squadrons have directly supported ground operations in Gaza, including efforts to dismantle Hamas terror tunnels and infrastructure embedded within civilian areas. The jets’ advanced sensors and data-sharing capabilities have assisted in hostage recovery operations, providing vital real-time intelligence on locations where Israeli hostages—innocents abducted during the October 7th massacre and held in Gaza—are believed to be hidden or moved by Hamas.
Human Capital and Operational Excellence
The integration of new aircraft is supported by intensive pilot and crew training, leveraging both Israeli and American technical expertise. Systematic upgrades, simulation drills, and joint exercises ensure that IAF pilots are equipped to maintain qualitative superiority over adversaries, who have received increasingly advanced weaponry from Iran.
The high readiness and professionalism of the 140th Squadron at Nevatim reinforce the IAF’s ability to sustain high sortie rates and rapid mission turnaround—even as the operational demands of defending Israel’s northern and southern borders remain high.
U.S.-Israel Alliance: Advanced Technology and Shared Security
The arrival of the new F-35is continues a longstanding pattern of close military cooperation between Israel and the United States. The platforms are delivered via U.S. Foreign Military Financing, and joint American-Israeli development ensures ongoing upgrades to avionics, weapons integration, and cyber resilience.
Regular joint training and technology exchanges have been instrumental in refining the operational tactics that keep Israel a step ahead of regional adversaries. The preservation of Israel’s qualitative military edge remains a cornerstone of U.S. policy in the region.
Broader Implications: Deterrence in a Complex Threat Environment
As Israel expands its F-35i fleet toward a projected total of at least 75 jets, military strategists see continuous modernization as critical—not only for immediate combat needs, but for long-term deterrence against Iranian-led escalation. The new arrivals will rapidly be integrated into active duty missions, featuring in both defensive patrols and precision strike packages against emergent threats.
Security analysts agree: the F-35i fleet is a linchpin in Israel’s multi-layered defense, enabling rapid, flexible, and surgical responses to a hostile environment characterized by asymmetric warfare and coordinated terrorist activity funded and directed by Iran.
Looking Ahead: Sustained Vigilance and Modernization
With fighting continuing across multiple fronts and new dangers constantly emerging, the IAF’s ability to absorb advanced platforms and leverage the latest technologies is likely to remain a strategic imperative. Investments in next-generation systems, joint U.S.-Israel projects, and continuous pilot training underscore the enduring importance of airpower in the defense of Israel’s people and sovereignty.
The recent arrival of three new F-35i ‘Adir’ fighter jets at Nevatim Airbase is more than a routine military procurement—it is the tangible reinforcement of Israel’s readiness to defend itself against those seeking its destruction. As the war imposed by Iranian-backed terror continues, the IAF’s expanding technological edge remains an essential guarantee of Israel’s security and future.
