F-35I Adirs to Israel

Two more F-35I Adirs for the Israeli Air Force arrived at Nevatim Air Base in mid-September, the first two F-35Is having been received on 12 December 2016 with another three Adirs received in April. With a view to achieving initial operational capability (IOC) by end of the year, 140 ‘Golden Eagle’ Squadron has undertaken both aerial refueling and munition drops. The unit plans to have nine F-35s by December 2017. Israel committed to a first batch of 19 F-35s in 2010, followed by another 14 F-35s in 2015 and 17 earlier this year. Beyond the 50 F-351s currently contracted, the US administration has approved Israel’s purchase of up to 75 F-35s. Options could include unmanned aircraft or “other sources of precision fire.”