If you’ve ever wondered what happens when cutting-edge technology, relentless innovation, and a bold approach come together in military aviation, look no further than Israel’s F-35I “Adir.” Following Operation Rising Lion, the Adir didn’t just make headlines—it redefined what air power looks like in the Middle East.
The F-35I isn’t just another stealth fighter off the production line. Israel. Israel even got a rare OK. from the United States to thoroughly redesign its fleet, producing an aircraft that is as Israeli in operation as it is American in origin. These upgrades extend far beyond cosmetic changes. The Adir has a sophisticated Israeli electronic warfare suite. Produced by Elbit Systems, plug-and-play. Capability. For. Indigenous weapons are heavily integrated with Israel’s wider intelligence ecosystem. Defense experts explain that these upgrades enable the jet to operate independently, neutralize sophisticated air defense systems such as Russia’s S-400 and Iran’s radar systems, and fly over 1,700 kilometers without refueling.
When Israel launched its massive aerial campaign against Iran, the F-35I spearheaded the attack. Almost 200 planes participated, but it was the Adir that crossed into Iranian airspace, flying through intricate air defense networks and attacking high-priority targets such as nuclear facilities and command centers with accuracy. It was the biggest combat deployment of F-35s to this point, and for the first time, the aircraft were operated in full stealth mode against a contemporary, layered defense system. Israeli pilots operated coordinated missions in multiple provinces and safely returned home, losing not one aircraft. Satellite imagery later revealed damage to the Natanz nuclear plant and other key sites.
One of the Adir’s greatest strengths is its integration with Israel’s wider defense system. The Israeli Air Force relies on more than just stealth. Rather, it conducts multi-platform operations, with the F-35I leading the charge—neutralizing threats and providing real-time intelligence to other platforms, followed by F-15Is and F-16s carrying heavier payloads. This degree of integration doubles the effectiveness of every mission, allowing for more precision with less risk. Serving as an airborne sensor, the Adir feeds information to Israel’s defenses, such as Iron Dome and David’s Sling, to provide a real-time, layered system that can detect and intercept anything from drones to ballistic missiles.
Iran’s air defenses—a collection of Russian S-300s, Chinese missile systems, and domestically developed platforms—were no match. Despite hard words and state media assertions, none of the F-35Is were hit. With the help of Israeli fighter jets, says UK defense minister Admiral Tony Radakin, Israel was able to disable air defenses more than 100 miles away using fewer than 100 precision-guided bombs. In the first wave, they never even needed to close in on their targets. Russian systems such as S-300 and S-400 were disabled, and Iran’s radar cover was disrupted through a combination of electronic warfare and strategic attacks.
This was not merely a tactical victory—it was a strategic change. In a matter of 48 hours, Israel had gained air dominance over most of western Iran, an accomplishment many of the world’s larger air forces have been unable to do in other wars. Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula explained that Israel’s success in blending cyber assets, intelligence, and air power—coupled with the flexibility of its pilots and the unique characteristics of the Adir—proved decisive. In contrast to Russia’s continued struggles in Ukraine, where taking control of the airspace has remained elusive, Israel’s strategy focused on speed, precision, and strategic surprise.
The effect of Operation Rising Lion is already being realized outside the region. Defense strategists and military leaders globally are analyzing how Israel utilized the F-35I. What catches attention isn’t merely stealth, but the combination of that stealth with electronic warfare, real-time sharing of intelligence, and operational innovation. Pentagon officials are said to be taking particular interest in the way Israel was able to maintain operations in an environment of high threat while integrating both U.S. and Israeli technology.
To Israel, the Adir is not just a next-generation fighter. It’s a strategic asset, a powerful deterrent, and a symbol of the nation’s technological superiority. Since its systems are locally operated, and its weaponry can be adapted at home, the F-35I allows Israel a degree of independence seldom found in foreign-operated aircraft. It can operate and combat on its terms, without needing software updates or curbs from outside partners.
In a neighborhood where the balance of power can change overnight, the F-35I Adir is a game-changer. It’s not a matter of flying farther or faster—it’s a matter of being more intelligent, quicker, and one step ahead at all times. That’s the true secret to Israel’s transforming supremacy in the skies.