Jerusalem, 18 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Three F-35i fighter jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, landed at Nevatim Air Force Base in Israel today, Sunday. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) calls the F-35i the “Adir” (mighty) in Hebrew.
The aircraft will be assigned to the 116th “Southern Lions” Squadron and the 140th “Golden Eagle” Squadron of the Israel Air Force and are emblazoned with the Air Force emblem.
Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, the “Adir” formation has been operating continuously in a variety of defensive and offensive missions in all theaters of war.
“The F-35 is one of a kind,” says the IDF. “Its stealth technology allows our pilots to carry out top-secret missions without tipping off the enemy. Within 20 seconds of takeoff, a team on the ground can see the route data of the jet, letting the pilot fly at his or her best while knowing that they’ve got support on the ground.”