Israel has awarded a $34-million contract to Cyclone, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, to develop external fuel tanks for the Israeli Air Force’s F-35I “Adir” fighter aircraft in an effort to extend operational range.
The agreement includes the development and integration of fuel tanks derived from Cyclone’s existing external tank design originally created for the F-16 Fighting Falcon platform.
By equipping the modified version of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II with external fuel tanks, Israel aims to reduce reliance on aerial refueling operations, which can create major logistical and operational challenges during long-range missions.
The contract is part of the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s broader modernization strategy focused on improving wartime readiness while preserving Israel’s aerial superiority and strategic edge across the region.
The move follows Jerusalem’s recent decision to expand both its F-35 fleet from 50 to 100 aircraft and its future F-15IA fleet from 25 to 50 fighters.
Extended-Range Operations
Reports indicate that the F-35I was already operating with external fuel tanks during Operation Rising Lion against Iran in 2025.
During the campaign, Israel reportedly carried out nearly 1,500 sorties over more than 12 days, with missions averaging around 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) one way — well beyond the aircraft’s standard combat radius of approximately 750 miles (1,207 kilometers).
According to reports citing Israeli media outlet Maariv, the extended operational reach was achieved through a combination of external and conformal fuel tanks.
Elbit Systems’ 425-gallon (1,609-liter) external fuel tank is mounted beneath the aircraft’s wings and can be jettisoned before entering contested airspace. In parallel, an 800-gallon (3,028-liter) conformal fuel tank developed jointly by Israel Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin is integrated along the fuselage to maintain the fighter’s low-observable stealth characteristics.
