Israel is working on three new modernizations to increase the capabilities of F-35I Adir fighter jets.
Israel continues to develop its F-35I Adir fleet in line with its own operational needs.
In the new modernization plan, the SPICE 1000B, external fuel tanks that will provide extended range and the electronic warfare pod stand out. It was reported that the studies in question were included in the F-35 Modernized Selected Acquisition Report prepared within the scope of the FY2027 budget of the USA.
When these three studies are evaluated together, Israel aims to increase not only the ammunition capacity of the F-35I, but also its range and electronic warfare capabilities.
SPICE 1000B integration is accelerated
One of the most striking elements of the modernization is the integration of the SPICE 1000B precision guided munition developed by Rafael into the F-35I.
It is stated in the report that Israel is trying to accelerate integration efforts with a process described as "SPICE Lite".
The SPICE family stands out with its ability to perform precise hits without being completely dependent on GPS. The system uses image-based guidance technologies that enable the ammunition to be directed to the target using the target image. It is reported that SPICE 1000 offers a range of approximately 100 kilometers thanks to its winged structure.
However, the final configuration and operational use date of SPICE 1000B on the F-35I have not been announced yet.
An external fuel tank is coming to the F-35I
Israel is also working on external fuel tank integration to increase the range of the F-35I.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that a contract worth over 34 million dollars was signed with Cyclone, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, in May 2026. Within the scope of the project, external fuel tank capability is being developed for the F-35I, based on a design previously developed for the F-16.
The main purpose of this system is to increase the operational range of the aircraft and reduce dependence on aerial refueling in long-range missions.
This work done by Israel on the F-35I attracts particular attention because preserving the low visibility features of the aircraft in the classic F-35 configuration is an important design criterion.
Electronic warfare pod is also coming
The third leg of the modernization package is the electronic warfare pod.
Israel is working on the integration of an electronic warfare pod adapted to national needs for the F-35I. However, the pod's manufacturer, technical specifications, frequency coverage or mixing capacity are not disclosed in the current official documents. It is stated that the work and coordination process for integration continues.
This capability can be used in electronic warfare missions to make it difficult for the F-35I to be detected or tracked by enemy radars and electronic systems.
Israel's investments in the field of electronic warfare have also attracted attention recently. The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that it awarded electronic warfare systems that contribute to the Israeli Air Force's preservation of air superiority within the scope of the 2026 Defense Awards.
Israel is also expanding its F-35 fleet
Modernization efforts are not limited to existing aircraft.
Israel's F-35 fleet is planned to reach 75 aircraft. Additionally, Israel has approved the purchase of a fourth F-35 fleet. In this context, work continues on the procurement of new aircraft and the establishment of the infrastructure of the third fleet.
The new F-35I aircraft are also planned to be delivered with Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) equipment. TR-3 provides higher processing power and memory capacity to support the F-35's future software and hardware-based capabilities.
F-35I is gaining an increasingly different structure
Israel's work on the F-35I shows that the aircraft continues to differ from the standard F-35 configuration.
Precision strike with SPICE 1000B, range with external fuel tanks and mission capability in the electromagnetic environment with the electronic warfare pod stand out as parts of the same modernization approach.
However, the exact operational entry dates of all three systems have not yet been announced. Therefore, at this stage, it is more accurate to express the capabilities in question as "integration studies are being carried out" rather than as "integrated".
