Stealthy Electronic Warfare Monsters: Israel Receives First F-35I Testbed Fighter

The Israeli Air Force has taken delivery of its first testbed variant F-35I ‘Adir’ stealth fighter - a modified version of the F-35A jet integrating indigenous electronic warfare systems, missiles and bombs and designed to test new technologies. The aircraft was reportedly delivered on November 11th, arriving at the Flight Test Center at Tel-Nof Air Force Base, with the F-35I thought to represent the most capable variant of the F-35 ever offered for export. While F-35s sold to parties other than the U.S. Military have inferior capabilities to varying degrees, particularly pertaining to their electronic warfare systems, the F-35I’s use of Israeli systems helps to overcome this and place it almost on par with the F-35As of the U.S. Air Force itself. Tel-Nof commander Brigadier General Oded Cohen referred to the delivery as a “historic event” and “a meaningful corner stone in the IAF's inauguration and development of the F-35 division.” He further stated: "To the FTC Squadron personnel - the absorption of the 'Adir' poses new challenges. I have no doubt that by virtue of your skill and professional spirit you will know, as you have proven in the past, how to challenge the limits of the 'Adir's' capabilities, and lead the IAF through toward new horizons.”

Israeli officials have show skepticism regarding the medium-long term viability of the F-35’s stealth capabilities as advances continue to be made in sensor and data sharing technologies, and as a result Israeli F-35s are expected to rely more heavily on electronic warfare than stealth to remain survivable. Israel previously acquired two squadrons worth of F-35A fighters from the U.S., but the F-35I will provide a potentially very significant capability boost. Israel is reportedly considering equipping the jets with conformal fuel tanks, which will undermine the F-35’s stealth capabilities but also give them the range needed to strike targets further afield without relying on aerial refuelling - namely targets Iran which F-35s in standard configuration would struggle to reach. Given Iran’s advanced capabilities for neutralising tanker aircraft at long range, this will be a particularly valuable asset.