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3. Israeli Ministry of Defense Signs Deal to Extend Range of F-35I Adir Fleet

The Israeli Ministry of Defense has signed a new contract with Cyclone, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, to develop an extended-range capability for Israel’s fleet of F-35I Adir fighter jets.

The agreement, valued at more than $34 million (over 100 million shekels), includes the development and integration of external fuel tanks intended to increase the aircraft’s operational range. According to Israeli defense officials, the new capability is expected to reduce reliance on aerial refueling while improving flexibility during long-range missions.

The external fuel tank configuration will reportedly be based on an existing Cyclone design originally developed for the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The F-35 Lightning II, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, remains a cornerstone of Israeli airpower. Israel operates a customized variant of the aircraft, known domestically as the “Adir,” making it the first foreign operator to integrate national systems into the platform.

The latest agreement marks the second publicly announced defense contract between the IMOD and Elbit Systems in less than a month. On April 23, the company announced it had secured a series of contracts worth approximately $200 million to supply advanced airborne munitions to the Israeli military.

According to the company, the April contracts covered air-launched weapon systems for the Israeli Air Force and represented the third round of aerial munitions orders awarded to Elbit within less than a year. Combined, those procurement rounds exceeded $665 million, reflecting Israel’s accelerated military spending amid heightened regional tensions.

The earlier procurement came against the backdrop of growing instability in the region, including multiple commercial vessel interdictions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have increased concerns over maritime security and the possibility of broader regional escalation.

Israeli officials said the new F-35 range-extension contract forms part of a broader force buildup strategy led by Defense Minister Israel Katz and IMOD Director General Amir Baram, aimed at preserving Israel’s aerial and strategic superiority during what officials describe as an “intense security decade” ahead.