On January 18, the Israel Defense Forces announced that three F-35i aircraft purchased from a major airline have landed at Nevatim Air Base, increasing Israel’s F-35 aircraft inventory to 48 out of 50, already fully purchased.
These three aircraft were part of a long-term contract, spaced over several years, to increase Israel’s F-35 inventory from 25 to 50 aircraft. Additionally, these aircraft were originally scheduled for delivery in late 2025, but have been postponed, with the final two still scheduled for delivery in late 2026.
However, given that Israel has 48 F-35s, its 350 fighter wings mean that IAI has played a much larger role in the development of the popular fighter, including by countries other than Israel.
Currently, 1,300 F-35 jets are flying in 12 countries around the world. Lockheed Martin says it has completed more than 600,000 sorties and logged more than 1 million flight hours.
IAI’s Aviation Division’s Wing Manufacturing Center has manufactured and assembled wings for a variety of Lockheed Martin aircraft since the 1980s, including the F-16 and T-38. The F-35 wing production line was established in November 2014 and aims to produce 800 stealth fighter wings by 2034, which could be worth more than $2 billion. The 100th building was delivered in 2019 and the 200th building in 2022.
In December 2018, IAI commissioned another line to produce F-35 wing skins. The F-35’s upper and lower wing skins are made from composite materials and Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) technology, and are “unique and innovative composite components” unique to the F-35, according to IAI.
Defense Minister Israel Katz has suggested that F-35 aircraft could soon be used again by Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic, just as they were essential in attacking Iran’s nuclear program in June 2025.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said, “The delivery of the 350th F-35 symbolizes the power of the eternal partnership between the United States and Israel…When Israeli innovation and American industry work together, the result is a capability that no one can match.”
“This cornerstone represents decades of close collaboration with American industry, based on shared values, advanced technological capabilities, and a mutual commitment to support critical security programs,” said IAI CEO Boaz Levy.
Anna Aronheim contributed to this report
