Story perspectives

Israel adds $34M F-35 fuel tanks, shoots down Iranian jet

5/15/2026

Summary

Israel Extends F-35

Israel announced a $34 million external fuel-tank program for its F-35I Adir fighters to extend range.
Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said in mid-February the tanks are in service and do not compromise stealth.
On March 4 an Israeli F-35I shot down an Iranian Yak-130 over Tehran, the first F-35 crewed-aircraft kill.
Israel began KC-46 tanker trials this month, while the Air Force adds a fourth F-35I squadron to reach 100 jets.

Summary

Israel Boosts Defence

Defence ministry announced Israel will boost defence spending by NIS 350 billion over the next decade for an “intense security decade” force-build-up.
Tests will evaluate whether new external tanks trade off F-35I range for low-observability, while Cyclone adapts its 600-gallon F-16 drop-tank with stealth-shaped coatings.
Officials say the extended range readies the IAF for distant foes and could model other F-35 users, though export must address Israel-specific EW suites and stealth needs.

Summary

Elbit Wins Contract

Elbit Systems secured a $34 million contract to develop tank kits for the F-35I fleet.
The kits will be based on the Cyclone external-fuel system used on the F-16I “Sufa.”
Israel’s defense ministry cited the F-35A’s 1,200-mile range and the F-16I Sufa’s roughly 1,300-mile range as baselines.
The announcement came after the “Lion’s Roar” strike and during a fragile U.S.–Iran cease-fire.
The ministry did not disclose the upgraded F-35I’s post-tank range.

History

Historical Context

During the 1991 Gulf War, the U.S. Air Force fielded over 1,300 aircraft and fitted F-16C fighters with 370-gallon external tanks that lifted combat radius roughly 30 percent, a tactic that helped dominate Iraqi airspace. Israel’s Elbit Systems Cyclone now funds a $34 million external-tank program for its F-35I fleet, echoing that range-extension approach as the jets aim for about 1,300 mile reach.

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Israel Extends F-35

Israel announced a $34 million external fuel-tank program for its F-35I Adir fighters to extend range.
Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said in mid-February the tanks are in service and do not compromise stealth.
On March 4 an Israeli F-35I shot down an Iranian Yak-130 over Tehran, the first F-35 crewed-aircraft kill.
Israel began KC-46 tanker trials this month, while the Air Force adds a fourth F-35I squadron to reach 100 jets.

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