The F-35I jets, known in Israel as "Adir", which means "mighty" in Hebrew, landed at the Nevatim airbase in southern Israel. The Air Force now has 30 Lockheed Martin stealth fighters, including a test plane at Tel Nof Air Base's Flight Testing Centre.
At Nevatim, the Air Force currently operates three 'Adir' squadrons: the 140th ("Golden Eagle") Squadron, the IAF's first Squadron of F-35Is The others are the 116th ("Lions of the South") Squadron; and the 117th Squadron.
The Israeli Air Force declared the F-35 operationally capable on 6 December 2017.
Israel uses one F-35 as testbed aircraft for indigenous Israeli weapons, electronics and structural upgrades. Israel ordered 75 aircraft and might order the same amount in future.
