On January 18, 2026, the Israeli Air Force announced that three new F-35I Adir fighter jets arrived at Nevatim Air Base, increasing the IAF's F-35I fleet to 48 aircraft. The aircraft were assigned to the 116th Squadron “Lions of the South” and the 140th Squadron “Golden Eagle,” both operating from Nevatim, and immediately entered service, as the F-35I fleet has remained continuously operational since October 7, 2023. Israeli officials reiterated the role of U.S.-Israeli defense cooperation in sustaining fleet readiness. Read full defense news at this link...
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| Israel’s F-35I “Adir” (Hebrew for “Mighty One”) is a unique variant of the F-35A Lightning II, with modifications spanning across command and control, electronic warfare (EW), communications, and weapons integration. (Picture source: IAF) |