Tel Aviv, Israel — January 18, 2026: Israel has taken delivery of three additional F-35I “Adir” stealth fighter jets from the United States, bringing the total Israeli fleet to 48 aircraft, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced.
The advanced fifth-generation F-35 jets, built by U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin, touched down at Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel on Sunday, bolstering the Israeli Air Force’s (IAF) combat capabilities.
The new deliveries are part of a long-term procurement program under which Israel has ordered up to 50 F-35s as part of its initial fleet build-up.
With this latest delivery, Israel now operates the second-largest F-35 fleet in the world, second only to the United States Air Force.
The F-35I “Adir”, meaning “Mighty One” in Hebrew, is a customized variant of the Lightning II, equipped with Israeli-specific electronics and defense systems, giving the IAF enhanced stealth, precision strike, and intelligence-gathering capabilities.
Israeli military officials say the expansion of the F-35 fleet strengthens their strategic aerial deterrent amid evolving regional security dynamics.
Originally Published By: The Jerusalem Post / The Times of Israel
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