Three F-35i “Adir” stealth fighter jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, landed on Sunday at Nevatim Air Force Base and were formally inducted into the Israeli Air Force.
According to the IDF Spokesperson, the aircraft will be integrated into the “Lions of the South” Squadron (116) and the “Golden Eagle” Squadron (140). The jets arrived bearing the official Israeli Air Force emblem, marking their full operational absorption into frontline service.
NEWSRAEL: WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT
The arrival of additional F-35i “Adir” jets significantly strengthens Israel’s qualitative military edge, particularly in long-range precision strike, intelligence gathering, and deep-penetration missions. As regional threats intensify—especially from Iran and its terrorist proxies—the expansion of Israel’s stealth fleet enhances deterrence, operational flexibility, and the Air Force’s ability to act independently and decisively across multiple arenas.