Israeli Air Force future plans
With a strategy plan for the coming five years, the Heyl Ha'Avir (IAF, Israeli Air Force) aims to create a more efficient and next generation air force.
Starting in January 2021, the Flight Training School (FTS) training syllabus will be six months shorter than the current syllabus. The pilot course itself will not change, but cadets with the FTS at Hatzerim air base will spend six months training on the M346I Lavi advanced fighter instruction aircraft during their Operational and Advanced Operational Training Course instead of one year.
The 101st The First Fighter Squadron and the 105th The Scorpion Squadron, both operating the F-16C/D Barak fighter aircraft at Hatzor air base, will find a new housing at Ramat David air base. Both squadrons will be transferred to their new base following the disbandment of the 117th First Jet Squadron, also equipped with the F-16C/D, at this base in October 2019.
Because of the high costs of the upcoming Mid Life Upgrade of the F-16C/D fighter aircraft, it was decided that disbanding one unit and purchasing new aircraft would be a better and cheaper option. It is reported that a mix of F-15I Strike Eagles and F-35I Adirs is the favorite combination for future wars and operations in the Middle East.
As part of these changes and possible new acquisitions, the IAF will be activating a third F-35I squadron in 2021. This squadron is the 117th The First Jet Squadron. The future air base is not known yet, but Nevatim air base is named as the most obvious location.
By November 2020, the IAF will have 27 F-35I Adirs on strength out of a total of fifty aircraft ordered. Initially Israel planned 24 Adirs for each squadron, but this was changed to eighteen aircraft per squadron. Early August 2020, the 116th The Lions of the South Squadron was officially declared operational on the F-35I at Nevatim air base. The 116th operates alongside the first Adir squadron of the IAF, the 140th The Golden Eagle Squadron.
As earlier reported by Scramble Magazine, the IAF is once again looking at procuring V-22 Osprey tiltrotors despite budgetary issues. High Command strongly believes that there is an operational demand for twelve to fourteen Ospreys. Next to the V-22 Osprey, Israel also looks at the Lockheed Martin CH-53K King Stallion and the Boeing CH-47 Chinook as a replacement for the CH-53 2025 Yas'ur.
Other changes as part of the new strategy plan are to centralize all Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) squadrons at Hatzor air base. Currently the UAS squadrons are spread among six bases around the country.
The 193rd Defenders of the West Squadron, operating the AS565 Atalef naval reconnaissance helicopters out of Ramat David air base will be transferred to Palmachim air base. Also all Sikorsky S-70 and UH-60 Yanshuf helicopters are based at Palmachim. The move will concentrate and streamline the maintenance of all helicopters at one dedicated base.
Detailed information on the Israeli Air Force Air Order of Battle can be found here. If you have new information, please use the updates form at the bottom of the OrBat page.
Photos: Amit Agronov