Israel enhances F-35I for potential long-distance strikes on Iran

Israel has reportedly upgraded its F-35I Adir fighter jets with stealth-compatible extended-range fuel tanks, enabling the jets to strike distant targets, including Iran, without midair refueling, The National Interest reports.

Throughout its history, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) has executed long-range strikes far beyond its home bases, from the 1981 bombing of Iraq’s nuclear program in Operation Opera to the 1985 raid on the Palestine Liberation Organization headquarters in Tunis, known as Operation Wooden Leg. These missions required careful planning, aerial refueling, and precise execution over thousands of kilometers.

The challenge remains relevant today, as the IAF must maintain the ability to strike regional adversaries, including Iran, while preserving an element of surprise.

The F-35I Adir, Israel’s variant of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, entered service in 2016. The fighter is equipped with an Israeli-developed electronic warfare suite, mission computers, and tailored systems designed to maintain Israel’s technological edge. Specifications include a range of approximately 1,380 miles (2,220 km), a top speed of Mach 1.6+, and a payload capacity of up to 18,000 pounds.

“We developed fuel tanks that extend the aircraft’s range without compromising stealth, and we added four missiles on the wings,” said Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, in an interview with Israel Hayom.

The new tanks, reportedly under development for several years, allow the F-35I to strike distant targets without relying solely on midair refueling—a process that is logistically challenging and sometimes unavailable. While external fuel tanks normally increase radar signature, Israel appears to have implemented conformal designs that align with the aircraft’s geometry, preserving its low-observable profile.

The F-35I Adir also functions as a sensor and command node, integrating into Israel’s air and missile defense network and enabling real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. Extended-range fuel tanks are part of a broader strategy to customize the F-35I for Israel’s long-range strike and deterrence needs.

“The number of flight hours our pilots have on the F-35 is greater than that of all the pilots of the other foreign countries that were partners in developing the aircraft,” Leiter added. “The feedback from our pilots reaches Lockheed Martin. When I visited there a few weeks ago, their CEO told me that Israel’s information and developments are worth many billions to my company.”

Israel has actively employed the F-35I in combat. During Operation Rising Lion in June, a 12-day campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, the fighter played a key role in disabling Tehran’s nuclear capabilities and eliminating several high-ranking officials and scientists.

The extended-range fuel tanks further enhance the F-35I’s ability to conduct long-distance operations, preserving Israel’s strategic airpower and operational flexibility in an increasingly complex regional security environment.

By Vafa Guliyeva