Israeli Air Force

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Israeli Air Force
Founded	1948
Country	Israel
Size	378 fighter fixed-wing aircraft 200 other fixed-wing aircraft 83 attack helicopters 88 other helicopters
Part of	Israel Defense Forces
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief	Aluf Ido Nehoshtan
Insignia
Flag
Roundel

Symbols of Israeli Air Force squadrons.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל, Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal, "Air and Space Arm", commonly known as חיל האויר, Heyl HaAvir, "Air Corps") is the air force of the Israel Defense Forces. Founded at the same time as the formation of the State of Israel, the IAF is renowned for maintaining air superiority over it foes, repeatedly demonstrating superior combat performance^[1][2]. Its current Commander in Chief is Major General Ido Nehoshtan.

[edit] History

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An Israeli Air Force F-4 Phantom II, in typical desert camouflage

An IAF F-16I Sufa

IAF AH-64D "Saraf"

[edit] Early years (1948-1967)

Preceded by the Sherut Avir, the air wing of the Haganah, the Israeli Air Force was officialy formed on May 28 1948, shortly after Israel declared statehood and found itself under immediate attack. The IAF's humble beginnings made its first air victories particularly impressive and noteworthy; at first, it was assembled from a hodge-podge collection of civilian aircraft commandeered or donated and converted to military use. A variety of obsolete and surplus ex-World War II combat aircraft were quickly sourced by various means to supplement this fleet. The backbone of the IAF consisted of 25 Avia S-199 (purchased from Czechoslovakia, essentially Czechoslovak-built Messerschmitt Bf 109s) and 62 Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk IXEs. Creativity and resourcefulness were the early foundations of Israeli military success in the air, rather than technology (which, at the inception of the IAF, was generally inferior to that used by Israel's adversaries).

Israel's new fighter arm first went into action on May 29 1948, assising the efforts to halt the Egyptian advance from Gaza northwards. Four Avia S-199s, flown by Lou Lenart, Modi Alon, Ezer Weizman and Eddie Cohen struck Egyptian forces near Isdud. Although damage was minimal, two aircraft lost and Cohen killed, the attack nevertheless achieved its goal and the Egyptians stopped. The Avias were back in Acion on May 30, attacking Jordanian forces near Tulkarem, losing another aircraft in the process. The Israeli Air Force scored its first aerial victories on June 3 1948 when Modi Alon, flying Avia D.112, shot down a pair of Egyptian Air Force DC-3s which had just bombed Tel Aviv. The first dogfight against enemy fighters took place a few days later, on June 8, when Gideon Lichtaman shot down an Egyptian Spitfire ^[3].

The Israeli Air Force played an important part in Operation Kadesh, Israel's part in the 1956 Suez Crisis. At the launch of the operation, on Ocober 29, Israeli P-51D Mustangs severed telephone lines in the Sinai, some using their propellor blades^[4], while 16 IAF DC-3s escorted by fighters dropped Israeli paratroopers behind Egyptian lines at the Mitla Pass and Et-Tur.

During the 1950s, France became a major supplier of warplanes to Israel, but relations between the two countries deteriorated just before the Six-Day War, when France declared an arms embargo on Israel. Consequently, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) significantly increased its aircraft and weapons production (initially based on the French models) and Israel switched to the United States as its principal supplier of military aircraft.

[edit] The Six-Day War

During the Six-Day War, the Israeli Air Force attained air supremacy by crippling much of the opposing Arab air forces on the first day of fighting. In three hours on the morning of June 5 1967 (Operation Focus), the IAF destroyed most of the Egyptian Air Force while its planes were still on the ground. By the end of the day the IAF had severely crippled the Syrian and Jordanian air forces as well, striking as far as Iraq. By the end of the war the Israelis claimed a total of 452 Arab aircraft destroyed, of which 49 were aerial victories. The Israeli air force admits losing 46 aircraft, 12 to Arab air forces.

[edit] The War of Attrition

Shortly after the end of the Six-Day War, Egypt initiated the War of Attrition, hoping to prevent Israel from consolidating its hold over the lands captured in 1967. Israel's goal in the fighting was to exact heavy losses on the opposing side, in order to facilitate a ceasefire. The Israeli Air Force consequently undertook repeated bombings of strategic targets deep within enemy territory and repeatedly challenged Arab air forces for aerial supremacy, all the while supporting operations by Israel's ground and naval forces. On July 30, 1970 the tension peaked: An IAF ambush resulted in a large scale air brawl between IAF planes and MiGs flown by Soviet pilots — five MiGs were shot down, while the IAF suffered no losses. Fear of further escalation and superpower involvement brought the war to a conclusion. By its end of August 1970, the Israeli Air Force had claimed 111 aerial kills while admiting losing only four aircraft to Arab fighters.

Notable operations of the War of Attrition:

• Operation Rooster 53 - September 26, 1969: IAF Super Frelon and Sikorsky CH-53 Yas'ur helicopters carry paratroopers in a raid to capture an advanced Soviet P-12 radar deployed in Egypt near Suez. A CH-53 helicopter carried the 4-ton radar back to Israeli held territory, tethered underneath it.
• Operation Priha (Blossom) - January 7, 1970 - April 13 1970: a concentrated series of strikes against Egyptian military and industrial targets.
• Rimon 20 - July 30, 1970: the IAF ambushes and shoots down 5 Soviet-piloted Egyptian MiG-21 fighters.

[edit] Yom Kippur War

During the Yom Kippur War of October 1973, the Israeli Air Force shot down 277 enemy warplanes, accounting for over a third of the IAF's total kills since 1948, but at the price of 53 pilots and over 100 of its own aircraft (180-200 according to some western sources, 280 according to Soviet estimates^[5]). The IAF suffered heavy losses mainly due to the introduction of new Soviet air defence equipment and doctrine: medium range SA-6 mobile SAM batteries and point defence provided by short range Shilka radar guided SPAAG and SA-7 Strela MANPADS (employed by Egyptian infantry), advancing with the mechanized forces and covered by older but longer range and still very dangerous SA-2 and SA-3 anti aircraft missile batteries. Nevertheless, throughout the war, the IAF managed to assist IDF ground forces, and kept up strikes on targets in Syria and Egypt.

One of the first encounters of the war was the Ofira Air Battle, involving two Israeli Phantoms versus 28 Egyptian Mig-17s and Mig-21s, and resulting in 7 downed Egyptian planes and disengagement of the rest. On October 9, 1973, two F-4 Phantom quartets attacked and destroyed the Syrian General Staff Headquarters in the heart of Damascus, damaging Syrian Air Force Headquarters as well. During the war, IAF helicopters proved to be highly useful in the logistic and MedEvac roles.

[edit] Growth (1973-82)

Ever since the Yom Kippur War, most of Israel's military aircraft have been obtained from the United States. Among these are the F-4 Phantom II, A-4 Skyhawk, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and E-2 Hawkeye. The Israeli Air Force has also operated a number of domestically-produced types such as the IAI Nesher, and later, the more advanced IAI Kfir, which were unauthorised derivatives of the French Dassault Mirage 5 (Israel bought 50 Mirage 5's from Dassault Aviation, but these were not delivered due to the French embargo emposed following the Six Day war). The Kfir was adapted to utilize a more powerful US engine, produced under license in Israel.

In 1976, IAF C-130 Hercules aircraft participated in Operation Thunderball, the rescue from Entebbe,Uganda, of the hostages of Air France flight 139.

[edit] Bombing of the Osiraq nuclear reactor

On June 7, 1981 eight IAF F-16A fighters covered by six F-15A jets carried out Operation Opera (also referred to as Operation Babylon or Operation Ofra) to destroy the Iraqi nuclear facilities of Osiraq. Among the pilots that took part in the attack was the late Colonel Ilan Ramon, Israel's first astronaut. The planes returned to Israel very low on fuel.

[edit] 1982 Lebanon War and its aftermath

Prior to the 1982 Lebanon War, Syria, with the help of the Soviet Union, had built up an overlapping network of surface-to-air missiles in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley. On June 9 1982 the Israeli Air Force carried out Operation Mole Cricket 19, crippling the Syrian air defence array. In subsequent aerial battles against the Syrian Air Force, the IAF managed to shot down 80 Syrian aircraft without losing a single fighter plane in an air to air combat. IAF AH-1 Cobra helicopter gunships destroyed dozens of Syrian armored fighting vehicles and other ground targets, including some T-72 main battle tanks.

In 1986 an IAF F-4 Phantom, piloted by Captain Aharon Achiaz, was inadvertently damaged midair and abandoned, resulting in the capture of flight navigator then-Captain Ron Arad by the Lebanese Shi'ite militia Amal. To this day, the whereabouts of Arad has not been disclosed by his captors.

For many years after the war's official end, and throughout Israel presence in Lebanon, IAF AH-1 Cobras continued to mount attacks on Hezbollah and PLO positions in south Lebanon.

[edit] Bombing of the PLO headquarters in Tunis

On October 1 1985, In response to a PLO terrorist attack which murdered three Israeli civilians in Cyprus, the Israeli air force carried out Operation Wooden Leg. The strike involved the bombing of PLO Headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia, by F-15 Eagles. This was the longest combat mission ever undertaken by the IAF, a stretch of 2300 kilometers, involving in-flight refueling by an IAF Boeing 707. As a result, PLO headquarters and barracks were either destroyed or damaged.

[edit] High Tech age (1990 and beyond)

Many of the IAF's electronics and weapons systems are developed and built in Israel by Israel Military Industries, Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit and others. Since the 1990s, the IAF has upgraded most of its aircraft with advanced Israeli-made systems, improving their performances. In 1990 the IAF begun receiving the AH-64 Apache helicopter gunship and started equipping its aircraft with the Rafael Python 4, Popeye and Derby missiles.

During the first Gulf War of 1991, Israel was attacked by Iraqi Scud missiles. Israeli Air Force pilots were on constant stand-by in their cockpits throughout the conflict, ready to fly to Iraq to retaliate. Diplomatic pressure from the United States, however, kept the IAF grounded while Coalition air assets and Patriot missile batteries supplied by the U.S. and the Netherlands sought to deal with the Scuds. In 1991, the IAF carried out Operation Solomon which brought Ethiopian Jews to Israel.

Two F-15I Ra'ams in formation during a training exercise at Nellis Air Force Base

By the late 1990s, the IAF begun buying the F-15I Ra'am (Thunder) and the F-16I Sufa (Storm), two of the most advanced variants of the F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, manufactured specially for Israel according to IAF requirements. The first of 102 F-16I Sufas arrived in April, 2004, joining an F-16 fleet that had already been the largest outside the US Air Force. The IAF also purchased the advanced Israeli air-to-air missile Rafael Python 5, with full-sphere capability, as well as a special version of the Apache Longbow, designated AH-64DI or Saraph. In 2005 the Israeli Air Force received modified Gulfstream V jets ("Nachshon"), equipped with advanced intelligence systems made by Israel Military Industries.

The Israeli Air Force took an extensive part in IDF operations during the al-Aqsa intifada, including the controversial targeted killings of leaders of Palestinian militant groups, most notably Salah Shakhade, Mahmoud Abu-Hunud, Abu Ali Mustafa, Ahmed Yassin and Abed al-Aziz Rantissi. While this policy is criticized due to the collateral damage caused in certain instances, Israel claims it is vital in its fight against terrorism and that IAF pilots do whatever they can to avoid civilian casualties, including aborting strikes.

[edit] 2006 Lebanon War

The IAF played a critical role in the 2006 Lebanon War by leading the Israeli attacks on Hezbollah. These strikes – mainly, though not exclusively, in southern Lebanon – were aimed at stopping rocket launches by Hezbollah's militia targeting Israeli towns. The IAF flew more than 12,000 combat missions during this war. The most notable mission, taking place during the second day of the war, resulted in the IAF destroying 59 Iranian-supplied medium- and long-range missile launchers in just 34 minutes^[6]. Widespread condemnation followed the July 30 IAF airstrike on a building suspected to be a militant hideout near the village of Qana, in which 28 civilians were killed. Hezbollah shot down an IAF CH-53 Yas'ur helicopter on the last day of the war, killing four male and one female aircrew members. Earlier, an IAF F-16I had crashed during take-off. Israeli aircraft also shot down three armed Iranian^[7] aerial drones during the conflict.^[8]

In September 2007, the Israeli Air Force successfully bombed an alleged Syrian nuclear reactor in Operation Orchard.

According to a CBS news report, in January 2009 Israeli planes struck a convoy of trucks in Sudan that was headed for Egypt and carrying weapons apparently meant for the Gaza Strip. 17 trucks had been bombed and 39 smugglers had been killed in the strike. ^[9]

[edit] Pilot Selection and Training

Thirty nine Israeli pilots have been credited with ace status, having shot down at least 5 enemy aircraft. Of these, 10 have shot down at least eight jet planes. The top ranking Israeli ace is Colonel Giora Epstein, who shot down seventeen enemy planes. Epstein holds the world record for jet aircraft shot down, and the most aircraft of any type shot down since the Korean War.

The selection process for IAF pilots can be traced to Ezer Weizman, widely considered the architect of the modern Israeli Air Force, and his aim of recruiting only "the best for pilots." His reasoning was that the skill and bravery of the ground forces would be for naught if they could be attacked at will from the air. As a result, only those thought to possess the innate ability to succeed as Israeli pilots are even invited to begin the training process, and only the most qualified succeed in completing what is seen by many as the world's most demanding military selection course.

Consequently, potential Israeli pilots are identified prior to reporting for national service at age 18, based on factors such as high grades in school and top scores on standardized tests, excellent physical condition and high technical aptitude. Those who meet these and other criteria are invited to participate in a six-day gibush (cohesion), a selection phase involving physical, mental, and sociometric challenges. Recruits are screened not only for their ability to perform the tasks assigned, but for their attitude in performing them —such as how they take hardships and unexpected difficulties, how well they work in groups and how they approach problem solving and disaster management situations. As many as 90 percent of those who commence the gibush will be dropped from further consideration at its conclusion. (The physical demands of the gibush have been lessened recently, following the death of a participant in 2006.)

Those who pass the gibush embark on a three-year journey to earn their wings, which includes extensive flight training, infantry training, an officer's course, and studies towards an academic degree (a B.A. or B.Sc.). The prospective pilots are evaluated constantly, and the vast majority of those who begin flight training do not make it through the full program. Those expelled from the course will either remain in the air force in a non-flying capacity, or transfer to an army unit. (This depends to a large degree on the stage at which they leave the course.)

While in flying school, future pilots are sorted and assigned to train on different types of aircraft. Few become fighter pilots (considered by many to be the most desirable assignment), while the remainder learn to fly helicopters, transport aircraft, or train as navigators.^[10]

After a landmark 1994 High Court appeal by a Jewish immigrant from South Africa, Alice Miller, the Air Force was instructed to open its flight school to women. Miller passed her entrance exams, yet failed the medical tests and thus did not qualify^[11]. The first female fighter pilot successfully received her wings in 2001 (several female navigators graduated before her).

While Israeli Arabs may volunteer to serve in the IDF, it is unclear whether they can seek air force training. In 2006, an Israeli Arab applied to be considered for the pilot program, but was not accepted.^[12]

[edit] Units and Structure

Structure of the IAF

• Air and Space Arm
  • Chief of Arm Staff Group
  • Fixed Wing Air Group
  • Helicopter Air Group
  • Intelligence Group
    • Technical Service for Intelligence Unit (VISINT unit)
  • Equipment Group
    • Unit 22 - Air Maintenance Unit
    • "Ofeq/Horizon" unit (C4I of the Air Force)
  • Manpower Group
  • Air Defence Command
    • Northern Air Defence Regiment
    • Central Air Defence Regiment
    • Southern Air Defence Regiment & Air Defence School
  • Unit Control Command
  • Special Air Forces Command
    • Unit 5101 - Shaldag
    • Unit 669
  • Chief Medical Officer Command
    • Air Medicine Unit
  • Ramat David Airbase (1st Air-Wing)
    • 109th Squadron ("The Valley Squadron") - operating F-16D
    • 110th Squadron ("The Knights of North Squadron") - operating F-16C
    • 117th Squadron ("The 1st Jet Squadron") - operating F-16C
    • 193rd Squadron ("The Defenders of th West Squadron") - operating Eurocopter Panther (Joint Command with the navy)
  • Sdot Micha (2nd Air-Wing)
    • 150th Squadron of IRBM missiles
    • 199th Squadron of IRBM missiles
    • 248th Squadron of IRBM missiles
  • Hatzor Airbase (4th Air-Wing)
    • 101st Squadron ("The 1st Combat Squadron") - operating F-16C
    • 105th Squadron ("The Scorpion Squadron") - operating F-16D
  • Hatzerim Airbase (6th Airbase)
    • 69th Squadron ("The Hammers Squadron") - operating F-15I
    • 102nd Squadron ("The Flying Tiger Squadron") - operating A-4 and various trainer aircraft (Flight Training School)
      • Aerobatics Team operating AMIT Fouga Magister
    • 107th Squadron ("The Knights of the Orange Tail Squadron") - operating F-16I
    • 123rd Squadron ("The Desert Birds Squadron") - operating S-70
    • Air Force Infantry School (Air Force Installation Protection Units)
  • Tel Nof Airbase (8th Airbase)
    • 106th Squadron ("The Head of the Spear Squadron") operating F-15B/C/D
    • 114th Squadron ("The Night Guides Squadron") - operating CH-53
    • 118th Squadron ("The Nocturnal Owls Squadron") - operating CH-53
    • 133rd Squadron ("The Twin-Tail Knights Squadron") - operating F-15A/B/D
    • 601st Squadron (Flight Testing Center Squadron)
  • Uvda Airbase (10th Airbase)
    • 115th Squadron ("The Flying Dragon Squadron") operating F-16A, AH-1, and more - Opposing forces emulation squadron
    • Aviation School
    • IAF Officers School
  • Sde Dov Airbase (15th Air-Wing)
    • 100th Squadron ("The Flying Camel Squadron") - operating Beechcraft King Air
    • 135th Squadron ("The Kings of the Air Squadron") - operating Beechcraft King Air and Beechcraft Bonanza
  • Haifa Airbase (21st Airbase)
    • Technical School
    • IAF Technological College
  • Ramon Airbase (25th Air-Wing)
    • 113th Squadron ("The Hornet Squadron") - operating AH-64D
    • 119th Squadron ("The Bat Squadron") - operating F-16I
    • 190th Squadron ("The Magic Touch Squadron) - operating AH-64
    • 201st Squadron ("The One Squadron") - operating F-16I
    • 253rd Squadron ("The Negev Squadron") - operating F-16I
  • Nevatim Airbase (28th Airbase)
    • 116th Squadron ("The Defenders of the South Squadron") - operating F-16A/B
    • 103rd Squadron ("The Elephants Squadron") - operating C-130
    • 120th Squadron ("The International Squadron") - operating Boeing 707
    • 122nd Squadron ("The Nahshon Squadron") - operating Gulfstream G550
    • 131st Squadron ("The Knights of the Yellow Bird") - operating C-130
    • 140th Squadron ("The Golden Eagle") - operating F-16A/B
  • Palmachim Airbase (30th Airbase)
    • 124th Squadron ("The Rolling Sword Squadron") - operating S-70
    • 151st Squadron (Missile Testing Squadron)
    • 160th Squadron ("The 1st Helicopter Gunships Squadron") - operating AH-1
    • 200th Squadron ("The 1st UAV Squadron") - operating Heron UAVs
    • 166th Squadron ("The 2nd UAV Squadron") - operating Hermes 450 UAVs
  • Machanaim Airbase (reserve)
  • Reserve squadrons:
    • 125th Squadron ("The Light Choppers Squadron") - former operator of Bell-206
    • 144th Squadron ("The Phoenix Squadron") - former operator of F-16A/B
    • 147th Squadron ("The Goring Ram Squadron") - former operator of A-4
    • 149th Squadron ("The Crushing Parrot Squadron") - former operator of Kfir
    • 161st Squadron ("The Northern Cobras Squadron") - former operator of AH-1
    • 192nd Squadron ("The Hawk Eye Squadron") - former operator of E-2
    • 254th Squadron ("The Midland Squadron") - former operator of Kfir

The insignia of the Israeli Air Force is a blue Star of David on a white circle. This is usually painted in six positions - on the top and bottom of each wing, and each side of the fuselage. Squadron markings are usually carried on the tail fin.

Three IAF squadrons (150 Sqn, 199 Sqn and 248 Sqn), based at Sedot Mikha, are thought to be responsible for Israel's surface-to-surface nuclear strike capability, maintaining a stockpile of between 50 and 100 Jericho II missiles. During 2008 Israel launched a programme to extend the range of its existing Jericho II ground attack missiles. ^[13] The Jericho-II missile is capable of sending a one ton nuclear payload 5,000 kilometers. ^[14] The range of Israels' Jericho II missiles is reportedly capable of being modified to carry nuclear warhead no heavier than 500 kg over 7,800 km, in effect making it an ICBM. ^[15] Some of the Jericho II missiles are based at facilities which were built in the 1980s. ^[16]. The Jericho III ICBM, became operational in January 2008 ^[17][18] and some reports speculate that the missile may be able to carry MIRVed warheads.^[19] The maximum range estimation of the Jericho III is 11,500 km with a payload of 1000-1300 kg ^[20][21] and its accuracy is considered high.^[22] In January 2008 Israel has carried out the successful test launch of a long-range, ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead from the reported launch site at the Palmachim air base south of Tel Aviv.^[23] Israeli radio identified the missile as a Jericho III and the Hebrew YNet news Web site quoted unnamed defence officials as saying the test had been "dramatic"^[24][25] and that the new missile can reach "extremely long distances," without elaborating.^[26]. Soon after the successful test launch, Isaac Ben-Israel, a retired army general and Tel Aviv University professor who is now an MP, told Israeli Channel 2 TV:

"Everybody can do the math and understand that the significance is that we can reach with a rocket engine to every point in the world"^[27]

[edit] List of IAF Commanders

• Yisrael Amir (May 1948-July 1948)
• Aharon Remez (July 1948-December 1950)
• Shlomo Shamir (December 1950-August 1951)
• Haim Laskov (August 1951-May 1953)
• Dan Tolkovsky (May 1953-July 1958)
• Ezer Weizman (July 1958-April 1966)
• Mordechai Hod (April 1966-May 1973)
• Binyamin Peled (May 1973-October 1977)
• David Ivri (October 1977-December 1982)
• Amos Lapidot (December 1982-September 1987)
• Avihu Ben-Nun (September 1987-January 1992)
• Herzl Bodinger (January 1992-July 1996)
• Eitan Ben Eliyahu (July 1996-April 2000)
• Dan Halutz (April 2000-April 2004)
• Elyezer Shkedy (April 2004-May 2008)
• Ido Nehoshtan (May 2008- )

[edit] Aircraft

[edit] Current

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service[28]	Notes
Trainers
AMIT Fouga Magister	France	jet trainer	CM-170 "Tzukit"	39[28]	To be phased out
Grob G-120	Germany	trainer aircraft	G-120A "Snunit"	27[28]	Privately owned
Hawker Beechcraft T-6 Texan II	United States	trainer aircraft	T-6A "Efroni"	4[29]	Total of 20 being delivered since July 7 2009
McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk	United States	ground attack	A-4H/N "Ayit"	44[28]	Used only as advanced trainers
MD 500 Defender	United States	scout helicopter	500MD "Lahatut"	2[28]	Used as trainers
Transport / Refuel
Beechcraft Bonanza	United States	light transport	A-36 "Hofit"	22[28]
Beechcraft King Air	United States	light transport	B-200/200T "Tzofit"	13[28]	Some used as trainers
Boeing 707	United States	heavy transport refuel	Boeing 707 "Re'em" Boeing KC-707 "Saknai"	5[30] 7[31]
Lockheed C-130 Hercules	United States	tactical transport refuel	C-130E/H "Qarnaf" KC-130H "Qarnaf"	11[28] 4[31]	Some used for surveillance
Electronic Mission / maritime surveillance
Gulfstream G550	United States	ELINT / EW AWACS	G500 SEMA "Shavit" G550 CAEW "Eitam"	3[28] 2[28]
IAI SeaScan	Israel	maritime surveillance	SeaScan 1124N "Shahaf"	3[28]
Beechcraft King Air	United States	ELINT / EW	B-200/200T RC-12D "Cuckiya" RC-12K "Cuckiya"	6[28] 10[28]
Fighters
Boeing F-15 Eagle	United States	air superiority fighter	F-15A "Baz" F-15B "Baz" F-15C "Baz" F-15D "Baz"	20[30] 6[30] 17[30] 10[30]	Upgraded
Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle	United States	strike fighter	F-15I "Ra'am"	25[30]
Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon	United States	mulitirole fighter	F-16A "Netz" F-16B "Netz" F-16C "Barak" F-16D "Barak" F-16I "Sufa"	59[30] 14[30] 78[30] 48[30] 101[28]	Upgraded
Helicopters
Eurocopter Panther	France	naval mulitirole helicopter	AS-565SA "Atalef"	5[28]
Bell AH-1 Cobra	United States	attack helicopter	AH-1G/S "Tzefa"	33[28]
Boeing AH-64 Apache	United States	attack helicopter	AH-64A "Peten" AH-64D "Saraph"	28[28] 17[28]
Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion	United States	heavy transport helicopter	CH-53A "Yas'ur-2000" CH-53D "Yas'ur 2000"	6[30] 32[30]
Sikorsky S-70 Blackhawk	United States	tactical transport helicopter	UH-60A/L "Yanshuf" S-70A-50 "Yanshuf"	10[30] 38[30]
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Elbit Hermes 450	Israel	MALE	Hermes 450B/S "Zik"	+
IAI Heron	Israel	MALE	Heron-1 "Shoval"	+
IAI Eitan	Israel	HALE	Heron-2 "Eitan"	+

[edit] Gallery of the Israeli Air Force

F-15A Baz on display	C-130 during a rocket-assisted takeoff	F-16B Netz	F-16C/D Barak
F-16 Sufa	F-16 at Red Flag	AH-64 Apache	UH-60
CH-53 Yas'ur	AH-1 Tzefa

[edit] Future

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes
Alenia C-27J Spartan	United States	tactical transport	AC-27J Spartan	0	10 Under negotiations
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules	United States	tactical transport	C-130J-30	0	9 Under negotiations
Gulfstream G550	United States	AWACS	G550 CAEW "Eitam"	2	2 ordered[28]
Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow	United States	attack helicopter	AH-64D "Saraph"	17	6 ordered
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II	United States	stealth multirole fighter	F-35A	0	25 ordered[32] with an option to buy another 50
Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor	United States	stealth multirole fighter	F-22A	0	The F-22 has been forbidden for export by the Pentagon[33]. However, in 2009 the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman said he would consider lifting a ban on the sale of the F-22 to Israel. [34][35]

[edit] Historic

[edit] Fighters/Bombers

• Avia S-199

An Israeli A-4N.

• Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
• Bristol Beaufighter
• Dassault Mirage IIIC
• Dassault Mystère
• Dassault Ouragan
• Dassault Super Mystère B.2
• De Havilland Mosquito
• Gloster Meteor
• IAI Nesher
• IAI Kfir
• McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
• North American P-51D Mustang
• Sud Aviation S.O. 4050 Vautour
• Supermarine Spitfire

[edit] Utility

• Aérospatiale Socata Rallye
• Auster Autocrat
• Beechcraft B-80 Queen Air
• De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
• Dornier Do 27
• Dornier Do 28
• Grumman G-44 Widgeon
• Grumman OV-1 Mohawk
• Miles M.57 Aerovan
• Noorduyn UC-64A Norseman
• Nord 1203 Norécrin II
• Nord 2501 Noratlas
• Pilatus Britten-Norman Islander
• Pilatus PC-6A Turbo Porter
• Taylorcraft BL

[edit] Transport/Reconnaissance

• Boeing 377 Stratocruiser
• Cessna 180 Skywagon
• Cessna Stationair
• Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina
• Curtiss C-46 Commando
• Douglas C-47 Dakota
• Douglas C-54 Skymaster
• Douglas DC-5
• Grumman E-2C Hawkeye
• Lockheed 18 Lodestar
• Lockheed Constellation
• Lockheed Hudson
• RWD-13
• RWD-15

[edit] Trainers/Light Aircraft

• Airspeed AS65 Consul
• Avro Anson
• Boeing Stearman (PT-13 Kaydet)
• De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth
• De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk
• Fokker S-11 Instructor
• North American AT-6 Harvard
• Piaggio P.149D
• Piper PA-18 Super Cub
• Republic RC-3 Seabee
• Temco TE-1A Buckaroo
• Vultee BT-13 Valiant

[edit] Helicopters

• Aérospatiale SA 321K Super Frelon
• Aérospatiale SE.3130 Alouette II
• Bell 47
• Bell 212
• Bell UH-1 Iroquois
• Hiller 360
• Sikorsky S-55 Chickasaw
• Sikorsky S-58 Choctaw

[edit] UAVs

• Ryan BQM-34A Firebee - Hebrew designation: "Mabat" ("Gaze")
• Ryan BQM-34E/F Firebee II - Hebrew designation: "Shadmit" ("Pratincole")
• Northrop Chukar - Hebrew designation: "Telem" ("Furrow")
• Tadiran Mastiff
• IAI Scout
• IAI Searcher 1
• IAI Searcher 2

[edit] Captured Aircraft

• Aérospatiale SA 342 Gazelle
• Beneš-Mráz M.1 Sokol
• Fairchild F24R Argus
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 "Fagot"
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 "Fresco"
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 "Fishbed"
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 "Flogger"
• Mil Mi-8 "Hip"
• Yakovlev Yak-11 "Moose"

[edit] Missiles, Rockets and Satellites

[edit] Air-to-Air Missiles

• AIM-7 Sparrow
• AIM-9 Sidewinder
• AIM-120 AMRAAM
• Matra R530
• Python
• Shafrir
• Derby

[edit] Air-to-Surface Missiles

• AGM-62 Walleye
• AGM-65 Maverick
• AGM-45 Shrike
• AGM-78 Standard
• AGM-114 Hellfire
• AGM-142 Popeye
• AS.11
• AS.30
• BGM-71 TOW

[edit] Surface-to-Air Missiles

• General Dynamics FIM-92 Stinger
• Raytheon MIM-23 Hawk
• Raytheon MIM-104 Patriot
• Israel Aerospace Industries Arrow Interceptor ("Til Hetz") - anti-ballistic missile system

[edit] Surface-to-Surface Missiles

• Jericho I/II/III - IRBMs possibly armed with nuclear warheads

[edit] Space Systems

• Amos (1, 2, 3) - communications satellite
• EROS (A, B) - earth observation satellite
• Ofeq (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) - reconnaissance satellite
• TecSAR - reconnaissance satellite
• Shavit - space launch vehicle

[edit] See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Air force of Israel

• List of aircraft of the Israeli Air Force
• Israel Aerospace Industries
• Israel Defense Forces
• Israeli Security Forces
• List of air forces
• Israeli Air Defense Network
• Military equipment of Israel
• Unit 669
• Shaldag Unit
• Talpiot program

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• The IAF Official Website (Hebrew)
• The IAF Official Website (English)
• IAF list of Commanders
• The IAF Special Forces Units - at isayeret.com
• 101 Squadron, Israel's first fighter squadron
• IAF F-15 lands with one wing Video
• israeli-weapons
• Israel air force war - Ynetnews
• Attributed Israeli Air Combat Victories
• Israel Air Force Aircraft Inventories
• Overview of the IAF
• Tsvah Haganah Le Israeli - Hey'l Ha'avir / Israel Air Force
• Israel's ability to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities
• Many photos of IDF/AF aircraft and operations
• Israeli Air Force group on Flickr
• The Gallery of Israeli Air Force and Arab Air Forces

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