Israel Modifies F-35I Fighters to Extend Range without Losing Stealth

Israel has modified its F-35I Adir fighters to improve range without compromising stealth.

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel, “We developed fuel tanks that extend the aircraft’s range without compromising stealth, and we added four missiles on the wings.”

Lockheed Martin-produced F-35I, operated by the Israeli Air Force (IAF), has reportedly been undergoing range-extension work for several years. Increased range would allow strikes on distant targets, including in Iran, without mid-air refueling.

Conventional external fuel tanks increase radar visibility unless jettisoned before entering contested airspace. Israel’s solution seeks to address this limitation.

A year ago, the IAF said that it had developed a capability to carry missiles on the fighter jets’ wings, saying that its aircraft are the “only F-35 to conduct strikes with this design.” Images published by the IAF during the June 2025 war with Iran showed missiles attached to the wings of Israeli F-35I jet.

On January 18, 2026, three F-35I jets with tail numbers 978, 979 and 983 landed at Nevatim Air Base, bringing Israel’s fleet to 48 aircraft. Under current agreements, Israel is expected to receive a total of 75 F-35 fighters.