Israel’s Ministry of Defense has signed a contract worth more than US$34 million with Cyclone, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, to develop external fuel tanks for the F-35I Adir fighter jet.
The initiative aims to extend the operational range of the stealth aircraft and reduce its dependence on aerial refueling during long-distance missions in the Middle East.
The project includes the development and integration of external tanks based on the company’s experience with the F-16, an aircraft that already uses different supplemental fuel configurations. Adapting the system to the F-35, however, requires specific solutions due to the fighter’s stealth characteristics, as installing external tanks can increase its detectability by enemy radars.
In service with the Israeli Air Force since 2017, the F-35I Adir has become one of the country’s main strategic assets and has already been used in real operations against targets in Syria and Iran. Despite its advanced stealth, sensor and electronic warfare capabilities, the aircraft’s limited range is considered a challenge for missions involving more distant targets, especially those related to Iran’s nuclear program.
According to Israeli officials, the investment is part of a military strengthening strategy for the coming years amid rising regional tensions. Expanding the F-35’s endurance will allow greater flexibility in long-range strike operations and reduce the need to use tanker aircraft, which are considered limited and vulnerable strategic assets in combat scenarios.
Israel MOD Signs Contract with Elbit Systems for Extended Range Capability for the F-35 “Adir” Fighter Jet
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— Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) May 14, 2026
Source: Defence Blog | Photo: X @Israel_MOD | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
