Israel's Defense Ministry and Elbit Systems will develop an Israeli-made capability to extend the flight range of the Adir, Israel's F-35 fighter jet.
The Defense Ministry's Directorate of Defense Procurement signed a contract with Elbit Systems Cyclone to develop a system that will allow the F-35 fighter jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, to increase their flight range and the amount of time they can remain airborne.
The deal, estimated at more than 100 million shekels (about $34 million), includes the development and adaptation of external fuel tanks based on an existing Cyclone design for F-16 aircraft. The capability is expected to extend flight ranges, reduce the need for aerial refueling and improve operational flexibility on long-range missions.
The move is another step in the Defense Ministry's strategy, led by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Director General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram, to strengthen Israel's defense manufacturing independence, improve readiness for an intense security decade and ensure the State of Israel's air and strategic superiority in the region.
