ISRAELI AIR AND SPACE FORCE (IASF)

ISRAELI AIR AND SPACE FORCE (IASF)

The IASF is currently maintaining a high operational tempo following the conflict in Gaza and regional strikes in 2025. The force is undergoing significant modernization, including the expansion of the F-35I Adir fleet and the acquisition of the F-15IA (an enhanced configuration of the F-15EX).

ISRAELI AIR AND SPACE FORCE (IASF) • Heyl Ha’Avir
Air Force 34,000 personnel. Reserve ε55,000 personnel. Organization: Responsible for air and space coordination, including strategic missile deterrents and national missile defense.

Forces by Role & Equipment by Type
Combat Aviation Command

• AIRCRAFT 340 combat capable.

Fighter & Fighter Ground Attack with 13 active squadrons:

• 173 Lockheed Martin F-16C/I Fighting Falcon (Barak/Sufa);
• 66 Boeing F-15A/C/I Eagle (Baz/Ra’am) (25 F-15IA on order);
• 45 Lockheed Martin F-35I Adir (30 additional on order).

Special Mission (AEW / SIGINT / ISR):

• 13 Beechcraft King Air 200 (Recce);
• 3 Gulfstream V (SIGINT/Shavit);
• 2 Gulfstream G550 (AEW/Eitam) (1 on order);
• 1 Gulfstream G550 (Recce/Oron).

Tanker & Multi-role Transport:

• 7 Lockheed Martin KC-130H Hercules;
• 6 Boeing 707 (Tanker);
• 4 Boeing 767 (KC-46A Pegasus) (2 additional on order).

Transport:

• 7 Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules (Shimshon);
• 5 Beechcraft King Air 200;
• 1 Lockheed Martin C-130E/H Hercules;
• 1 Boeing 707 (Transport).

Training (Fixed-wing):

• 49 Lockheed Martin F-16D Fighting Falcon;
• 30 Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master (Lavi);
• 21 Boeing F-15B/D Eagle;
• 20 Beechcraft T-6A Texan II (Efroni);
• 16 Grob G120A (Snunit);
• 4 Beechcraft King Air 200.

• HELICOPTER 46 combat capable.

Attack (Helicopters) with 2 active squadrons:

• 48 Boeing AH-64A/D Apache (Peten/Saraf).

Transport & Multi-role (Helicopters):

• 50 Sikorsky S-70A / UH-60A Black Hawk (Yanshuf);
• 21 Sikorsky CH-53 / CH-53K King Stallion (Yas'ur) (12 on order);
• 4 Eurocopter AS565SA Panther (Atalef) (Missions flown by IASF aircrew for Naval support);
• 4 Bell 206 Jet Ranger.

Training (Helicopter):

• 8 Bell AW119 Koala (4 on order).

• UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS (UAS)

• Heavy ISR/Combat Capable: Heron (Shoval); Heron TP (Eitan); Hermes 900 (Kochav); RQ-5A Hunter.
• Medium/Light ISR: Hermes 450 (Zik); Orbiter 4 (Nitzotz); Skylark 3.
• Loitering Munitions: Harop; Harpy; Spike Firefly.

• STRATEGIC & MISSILE DEFENCE

• Strategic Forces: ε24 Jericho 2 IRBM (Nuclear capable).
• Missile Defence (SAM): 24 Arrow 2/Arrow 3; 10 batteries (ε40 launchers) Iron Dome; David’s Sling; M901 Patriot PAC-2; Machbet (Point-defense).
• Space Systems: ISR Satellites including Ofeq-5/7/9/10/11/16 and TecSAR (Polaris).

Note: By 2026, the Israeli Air and Space Force remains the qualitative leader in the region, focusing on a multi-layered defense architecture and precision strike capabilities. The integration of the CH-53K King Stallion (locally nicknamed 'Pereh') and the continued ramp-up of F-35I squadrons are central to the force's ability to operate in contested environments. Recent combat actions in 2025 have reinforced the force's transition toward a highly networked "air, space, and cyber" command. Strategic operations are supported by a robust domestic defense-industrial base (IAI, Elbit, Rafael) that provides world-class uninhabited systems and guided weaponry.

Current Order Of Battle:

* = Re-equipping with new F-16I 2004-2008
% = Helicopters supplied by other squadrons on shift rotation basis
&& = Shared organisation with 103 sqn
FTS = Flying Training School
BIST = FTS (Hebrew Acronym)
MANAT = Flight Test Center (Hebrew Acronym)

* = Entregándose.
** =Pedidas.