Israel has awarded Elbit Systems subsidiary Cyclone a $34-million contract to develop external fuel tanks for the Israeli Air Force’s F-35I “Adir” stealth fighters, aiming to significantly extend operational range. The tanks are based on designs previously developed for the F-16 Fighting Falcon and are intended to reduce reliance on aerial refueling during long-range strike missions. The initiative forms part of Israel’s broader military modernization strategy following decisions to double both its F-35 and future F-15IA fleets. Reports indicate the F-35I already employed external and conformal fuel tanks during long-range operations against Iran in 2025, enabling missions far beyond the aircraft’s standard combat radius. The wing-mounted external tanks can be jettisoned before entering contested airspace, while conformal tanks integrated along the fuselage help preserve the aircraft’s stealth characteristics.
