View source for Israeli Air Force

{{Short description|Aerial and space service branch of the Israel Defense Forces}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2012}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Israeli Air and Space Arm
| native_name = זְרוֹעַ הָאֲוִיר וְהֶחָלָל
| image = Israeli Air Force - Coat of arms.svg
| image_size = 150px
| caption = Emblem of the Israeli Air and Space Arm
| start_date = {{start date and age|1948|05|28}}
| country = {{flag|Israel}}
| type = {{ubl|[[Air force]]|[[Space force]]}}
| role = {{ubl|[[Aerial warfare]]|[[Space warfare]]}}
| size = {{ubl|34,000 active personnel<ref name=IISS1>{{cite book| url=https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance/the-military-balance-2023| title=The Military Balance 2023| author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| date=15 February 2023| publisher=[[Routledge]]| location=[[London]]| page= 331| isbn=978-1-032-50895-5}}</ref>|55,000 reserve personnel<ref name=IISS1/>|595 aircraft<ref>{{cite web |last = Hoyle |first = Craig |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=113841|title = World Air Forces 2026|publisher= [[FlightGlobal]] |year= 2025 |access-date= 27 December 2025}}</ref>}}
| command_structure = [[Israel Defense Forces]]
| garrison = [[HaKirya]], [[Tel Aviv]], Israel
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| nickname = 
| patron = 
| motto = 
| colours = 
| colours_label = 
| march = 
| mascot = 
| anniversaries = 
| equipment = 
| equipment_label = 
| battles = 
| decorations = 
| battle_honours = 
| battle_honours_label = 
| flying_hours = 
| website = {{Official URL}}
<!-- Commanders -->
| commander1 = [[Aluf]] [[Tomer Bar]]
| commander1_label = [[Commander of the Israeli Air Force|Commander of the Air Force]]
| notable_commanders = 
<!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol = 
| identification_symbol_label =
| identification_symbol_2 = [[File:Roundel of Israel.svg|70px]] [[File:Roundel of Israel – Low Visibility – Type 1.svg|70px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = [[Military aircraft insignia|Roundel]]
| identification_symbol_3 = [[File:Air Force Ensign of Israel.svg|150px]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = Flag
<!-- Aircraft -->
| aircraft_attack = [[Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle#F-15I|Boeing F-15I Ra'am]], [[AH-64D Apache|AH-64D Saraf]]
| aircraft_bomber = 
| aircraft_electronic = 
| aircraft_fighter = [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle]], [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]], [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II]]
| aircraft_helicopter = 
| aircraft_helicopter_attack = 
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo = 
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole = 
| aircraft_helicopter_observation = 
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer = 
| aircraft_helicopter_utility = 
| aircraft_interceptor = 
| aircraft_patrol = [[Eurocopter AS565 Panther]]
| aircraft_recon = [[IAI Eitam]], [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft RC-12D]]
| aircraft_trainer = [[Grob G-120]], [[Beechcraft T-6 Texan II]], [[Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master]], [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft C-12 Huron]], [[Bell 206]]
| aircraft_transport = [[Boeing 707|Boeing 707-320]], [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]], [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion]], [[Sikorsky S-70]]
| aircraft_tanker = [[Lockheed KC-130|Lockheed KC-130 Hercules]], [[Boeing 707|Boeing KC-707]]
| aircraft_general = 
}}

The '''Israeli Air Force''' ('''IAF'''; {{langx|he|זְרוֹעַ הָאֲוִיר וְהֶחָלָל|Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal|Air and Space Arm}}, commonly known as {{Script/Hebrew |חֵיל הָאֲוִיר}}, ''Kheil HaAvir'', "Air Corps") operates as the [[aerial warfare|aerial]] and [[space warfare]] branch of the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF). It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the [[Israeli Declaration of Independence]]. {{As of|2022|04|alt=As of April 2022}}, [[Aluf]] [[Tomer Bar]] has been serving as the Air Force commander.

The Israeli Air Force was established using commandeered or donated civilian aircraft and obsolete and surplus [[List of aircraft of World War II|World War II combat aircraft]]. Eventually, more aircraft were procured, including [[B-17 Flying Fortress|Boeing B-17s]], [[Bristol Beaufighter]]s, [[de Havilland Mosquito]]es and [[P-51 Mustang|P-51D Mustangs]]. The Israeli Air Force played an important part in [[Operation Kadesh]], Israel's part in the 1956 [[Suez Crisis]], dropping paratroopers at the [[Mitla Pass]]. On June 5, 1967, the first day of the [[Six-Day War]], the Israeli Air Force performed [[Operation Focus]], debilitating the opposing Arab air forces and attaining air supremacy for the remainder of the war.

Shortly after the end of the Six-Day War, Egypt initiated the [[War of Attrition]], and the Israeli Air Force performed repeated bombings of strategic targets deep within enemy territory. When the [[Yom Kippur War]] broke out on October 6, 1973, Egyptian and Syrian advances forced the IAF to abandon detailed plans for the [[Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses|destruction of enemy air defences]]. Forced to operate under the missile and anti-aircraft artillery threats, the close air support it provided allowed Israeli troops on the ground to stem the tide and eventually go on the offensive.

Since that war most of Israel's military aircraft have been obtained from the United States. Among these are the [[A-4 Skyhawk|A-4N Skyhawk]], [[F-4 Phantom II|F-4E Phantom II]], [[F-15 Eagle|F-15C Eagle]], [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15I Strike Eagle]], [[F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16C/I Fighting Falcon]] and [[F-35 Lightning II|F-35I Lightning II]]. The Israeli Air Force has operated a number of domestically produced types such as the [[IAI Nesher]], and later, the more advanced [[IAI Kfir]]. On June 7, 1981, eight IAF F-16s covered by six F-15s carried out [[Operation Opera]] to destroy the Iraqi nuclear facilities at Osiraq. On June 9, 1982, the Israeli Air Force carried out [[Operation Mole Cricket 19]], crippling Syrian air defences in Lebanon. On October 1, 1985, In response to a [[Palestinian Liberation Organization|PLO]] [[Terrorism|terrorist attack]] which murdered three Israeli civilians in [[Cyprus]], the Israeli air force carried out [[Operation Wooden Leg]], bombing the [[Palestinian Liberation Organization|PLO]] Headquarters in [[Tunis]]. In 1991, the IAF carried out [[Operation Solomon]] which brought [[Beta Israel|Ethiopian Jews]] to Israel. In 1993 and 1996, the IAF participated in [[Operation Accountability]] and [[Operation Grapes of Wrath]], respectively. It has taken part in many operations since, including the [[2006 Lebanon War]], [[Operation Cast Lead]], [[Operation Pillar of Cloud]], [[Operation Protective Edge]], [[Operation Guardian of the Walls]] and [[Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip (2023–present)|Operation Swords of Iron]]. On September 6, 2007, the Israeli Air Force successfully bombed an alleged Syrian nuclear reactor in [[Operation Orchard]].<ref name="Sunday Times Sep-16">{{cite news | first = Uzi | last = Mahnaimi | title = Israelis 'blew apart Syrian nuclear cache' | url = https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/israelis-blew-apart-syrian-nuclear-cache-2xx0wlpdxqx | newspaper = The Sunday Times | date = 2007-09-16 | access-date = July 13, 2008 | location = London, UK | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180308232203/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/israelis-blew-apart-syrian-nuclear-cache-2xx0wlpdxqx | archive-date = March 8, 2018 | url-status = live }}</ref>

==Mission statement==
{{See also|IDF Code of Ethics}}
The Israeli Air Force states the following as its functions:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.iaf.org.il/34-en/IAF.aspx | work = About the IAF | title = Mission Statement | access-date = October 12, 2011 | publisher = Israeli Air Force | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111108061329/http://www.iaf.org.il/34-en/IAF.aspx | archive-date = November 8, 2011 | url-status = live }}</ref>
# To protect the State of Israel from aerial attack and to defend the IDF's zone of operations
# To achieve air supremacy throughout the IDF's zone of operation
# To participate in the fighting on both ground and sea
# To hit targets deep in enemy territory
# To create the aerial intelligence picture and participate in the creation of the general intelligence picture and its assessment
# To transport troops, equipment and weapons systems
# To carry out search, rescue and aerial evacuation missions
# To execute special operations
# To continually build and improve itself, as part of the general plan for improving the IDF and in accordance with the authority vested in it

==Insignia==
The insignia / [[roundel]] of the Israeli Air Force consists of a blue [[Star of David]] on a white circle. Aircraft usually carry it painted in six positions – on the top and bottom of each wing, and on each side of the fuselage. A low-visibility variant – a blue Star of David without the white circle – exists, although its use is extremely rare. Squadron markings usually go on the tail fin.

==History==
{{main |History of the Israeli Air Force}}

===Early years (1948–1967)===
[[File:Avia S-199 in June 1948 (Israeli Air Force).png|thumb|An [[Avia S-199]]]]
Forerunners of the Israeli Air Force were [[Sherut Avir]], the air wing of the [[Haganah]], and the Palestine Flying Service established by the [[Irgun]] in 1937.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.machal.org.il/air-force/the-israeli-air-force-iaf-in-the-war-of-independence/ | title = The Israeli Air Force (IAF) in the War of Independence |website=World Machal | date = June 26, 2010 | access-date = June 6, 2012}}.</ref>
The Israeli Air Force formed on May 28, 1948, shortly after Israel declared statehood and [[1948 Arab–Israeli War|found itself under attack]]. The force consisted of a hodge-podge of commandeered or donated civilian aircraft 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]]s [[Arms shipments from Czechoslovakia to Israel 1947–49|purchased from Czechoslovakia]], essentially [[Czechoslovakia|Czechoslovak]]-built [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]]s, and 60 [[Supermarine Spitfire]] LF Mk IXEs, the first of which, "Israel 1", was locally assembled from British abandoned spare parts and a salvaged engine from an [[Egyptian Air Force]] Spitfire, with most of the rest purchased from Czechoslovakia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaf.org.il/8491-45219-he/IAF.aspx|title=אתר חיל-האוויר: השחור החדש|website=www.iaf.org.il|access-date=March 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316113400/http://www.iaf.org.il/8491-45219-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Israel's new fighter-arm first went into action on May 29, 1948, assisting efforts to halt the Egyptian advance from [[Gaza City|Gaza]] northwards.

On May 30, after un-assembled planes were strafed on the ground at [[Tel Nof Airbase|Ekron airfield]], the fighters were moved to makeshift strip located around the current [[Herzliya Airport]]. The airfield was used as it was a bit back from the front-lines, and was clandestine since it was a purpose built strip, that was constructed after the beginning of hostilities, in between the orange orchards around Herzliya, and did not appear on published maps. The Israeli Air Force scored its first aerial victories on June 3 when Modi Alon, flying Avia D.112, shot down two Egyptian Air Force [[DC-3]]s 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 [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire]].<ref>{{cite web | url= http://aces.safarikovi.org/victories/victories-israel.html | title= Aces | publisher= Safarikovi | access-date= September 8, 2011 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110815145038/http://aces.safarikovi.org/victories/victories-israel.html | archive-date= August 15, 2011 | url-status= live }}</ref>

During these initial operations, the squadron operated with a few planes versus almost complete Arab theater [[air supremacy]]. The airplanes were parked dispersed between the orange trees. The fighters were moved in October to [[Hatzor Airbase]] from the Herzliya strip due to its unsuitability in rainy conditions, probable loss of clandestine status, moving front lines which made former British bases safe for use, and a shift in the balance of [[air superiority]] towards the Israelis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/war-is-boring/how-nazi-fighter-planes-saved-israel-c2b54f34c2a8|title=How Nazi Fighter Planes Saved Israel|first=War Is|last=Boring|work=Medium |date=August 15, 2016|access-date=March 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308232125/https://medium.com/war-is-boring/how-nazi-fighter-planes-saved-israel-c2b54f34c2a8|archive-date=March 8, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aopa.org.il/%D7%9B%D7%AA%D7%91%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%92%D7%9B%D7%92%D7%93%D7%9A%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%97%D7%99%D7%9A%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%93%D7%97/|title=שדה הרצליה – ימים ראשונים/תא"ל (מיל') ד"ר דני אשר|website=www.aopa.org.il|access-date=March 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315180037/https://www.aopa.org.il/%D7%9B%D7%AA%D7%91%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%92%D7%9B%D7%92%D7%93%D7%9A%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%97%D7%99%D7%9A%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%93%D7%97/|archive-date=March 15, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.walla.co.il/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315175212/http://news.walla.co.il/item/384730 |title=חדשות מהארץ ומהעולם: כתבות ודיווחים שוטפים 7\24 &#124; וואלה! חדשות|archive-date=March 15, 2017|website=וואלה!}}</ref>

===Suez Crisis (1956)===
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 October 29, Israeli [[P-51 Mustang|P-51D Mustangs]], some using their propeller blades, severed telephone lines in the [[Sinai Peninsula|Sinai]].{{Sfn | Norton | 2004 | page = 125}} 16 IAF [[DC-3]]s – escorted by fighters – dropped Israeli paratroopers behind Egyptian lines at the [[Mitla Pass]] and Et-Tur. The Israeli Air Force conducted attacks on Egyptian ground units and assisted the Israeli Navy in capturing the Egyptian Navy destroyer [[HMS Mendip (L60)|''Ibrahim el Awal'']], which had bombarded the Israeli city of [[Haifa]] – an airstrike damaged the Egyptian ship's engines, enabling Israeli ships to reach it and capture it.
[[File:F-4E Tel Noft 160413 02.jpg|thumb|[[201 Squadron (Israel)|201 Squadron]] IAF F-4E Phantom II with 3 kill markings]]

===Six-Day War (1967)===
In three hours on the morning of June 5, 1967, the first day of the [[Six-Day War]], the Israeli Air Force executed [[Operation Focus]], crippling the opposing Arab air forces and attaining air supremacy for the remainder of the war. In a surprise attack, the IAF destroyed most of the [[Egyptian Air Force]] while its planes were still on the ground. By the end of the day, with surrounding Arab countries drawn into the fighting, the IAF had mauled the [[Syrian Air Force|Syrian]] and [[Jordanian Air Force|Jordanian]] air forces, striking as far as [[Iraq]]. After six days of fighting, Israel claimed a total of 452 Arab aircraft destroyed, of which 49 were aerial victories.

After the IAF's impressive performance in the Six-Day War, the [[Lyndon Johnson]] administration decided to sell [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4 Phantom]] fighters to Israel in 1968, marking the first sale of American military equipment to Israel.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/phantom.html|title=The 1968 Sale of Phantom Jets to Israel|last=Mitchell G. Bard|encyclopedia=[[Jewish Virtual Library]]|access-date=February 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811195948/http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/phantom.html|archive-date=August 11, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

===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 undertook repeated bombings of strategic targets deep within enemy territory and repeatedly challenged Arab air forces for aerial supremacy, while supporting operations by Israel's ground and naval forces.

In late 1969 the Soviet Union began to deploy fighter aircraft units and surface-to-air missile units to Egypt. The Soviet surface-to-air missile units soon joined their Egyptian allies in direct confrontations with Israeli aircraft. Soviet fighters conducted patrols, but Israeli pilots were ordered not to engage them. On July 30, 1970, the tension peaked: An IAF ambush resulted in a [[Operation Rimon 20|large scale air brawl]] between IAF planes and MiGs flown by Soviet pilots—five [[MiG]]s were shot down, while the IAF suffered no losses.

Fear of further escalation and superpower involvement brought the war to a conclusion. By the end of August 1970, the Israeli Air Force had claimed 111 aerial kills while reporting losing only four aircraft to Arab fighters. Egyptian and Soviet forces claimed to shoot down approximately 20 Israeli Air Force planes with surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery units.

=== Yom Kippur War (1973) ===
[[File:Israeli A4 Hazterim 260608 2.JPG|thumb|An Israeli Air Force [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A-4N Skyhawk]] of [[102 Squadron (Israel)|102 Squadron]] "Flying Tiger"]]
On October 6, 1973, with war imminent, the IAF began preparing for a pre-emptive strike against Egyptian and Syrian airfields and anti-aircraft positions. The Israeli government decided against pre-emption.{{Sfn |Norton | 2004 | p = 36}} IAF aircraft were therefore in the process of re-armament to the air-to-air role when [[Yom Kippur War]] hostilities began at 14:00.{{Sfn | Aloni | Avidror | 2010 | p = 130}} The next morning began with [[Operation Tagar]], a SEAD offensive against Egyptian air defences, beginning with strikes against Egyptian air bases. ''Tagar'' was quickly discontinued when the dire situation on the [[Golan Heights]] became apparent.{{Sfn | Aloni | Avidror | 2010 | pp = 130–34}}

IAF efforts were redirected north, where the ill-fated [[Operation Model 5]] was carried out. Flying with outdated intelligence and no electronic screening against mobile SAM batteries and heavy flak, 6 IAF Phantoms were lost.{{Sfn | Aloni | Avidror | 2010 | pp = 130–34}} The sustained campaign required to defeat enemy air defences was abandoned in the face of Egyptian and Syrian advances and the IAF was forced to operate under the SAM threat. Nevertheless, the close air support it provided allowed Israeli troops on the ground to stem the tide and eventually go on the offensive, first in the north and later in the south.{{Sfn | Norton | 2004 | pp = 38–39}}{{Sfn | Aloni | 2001b | pp = 83–87}}

After the failure of the Israeli counter-offensive in the Sinai on October 8, the southern front remained relatively static and the IAF focused its attention on the Syrian front.{{Sfn | Aloni | 2001b | pp = 83–87}} While A-4 Skyhawks provided much needed support to troops on the ground, at the cost of 31 aircraft by the end of fourth day of the war,{{Sfn |Aloni | 2009 | p = 48}} IAF Phantoms repeatedly struck Syrian air fields.{{Sfn | Aloni | 2004b | pp = 37–45}} Following Syrian [[FROG-7]] strikes on military and civilian targets in northern Israel, the IAF initiated a campaign to destroy the infrastructure on which Syria's war-making capacity depended, targeting strategic targets in Syria such as its oil industry and electricity generating system.{{Sfn | Aloni | 2004b | p = 41}} By October 13 the Syrians had been pushed back and beyond their initial lines, Damascus had come within range of Israeli artillery and an Iraqi armored brigade, the vanguard of its expeditionary force, was destroyed.{{Sfn | Aloni | 2004b | p = 44}}

On October 14 the Egyptian army launched an offensive along the entire front but was repulsed by the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]]. Israel followed on this success by attacking at the seam between the 2nd and 3rd Egyptian armies and crossing the [[Suez Canal]] into Egypt. Israeli forces fanned north and south, destroying Egyptian rear units and [[1973 raid on Egyptian missile bases|punching holes]] through its air defence array. This allowed the IAF the freedom of action it was previously denied and renewed attacks led to the collapse of the [[Egyptian Air Defense Command|Egyptian Air Defence Force]]. This prompted increased diplomatic activity to resolve the war, coupled with increased activity by the Egyptian Air Force. From about October 18 to the end of the war, intensive air battles took place between Israeli and Egyptian aircraft.{{Sfn | Aloni | 2001b | pp = 83–87}}{{Sfn | Aloni | 2004a | p = 68}}

Official Israeli Air Force losses of the Yom Kippur War were 102 aircraft, including 32 F-4 Phantoms, 53 A-4 Skyhawks, 11 Dassault Mirages, and 6 [[Dassault Super Mystere|IAI Sa'ars]], although other accounts suggest as many as 128 Israeli aircraft were lost.{{Sfn | Nordeen | 1990 | p = 146}}{{Sfn | Norton | 2004 | p = 40}} 91 air force personnel, of which 53 were airmen, were killed. 172 Egyptian aircraft were shot down in air-to-air combat, for a loss of between 5 and 21 for the Israelis, on all fronts.{{Sfn | Norton | 2004 | p = 40}}{{Sfn | Dunstan | 2003 | p = 39}} No official numbers were released on the Arab side, though total Egyptian losses were between 235 and 242 aircraft. Syria lost between 135 and 179.{{Sfn | Norton | 2004 | p = 40}}{{Sfn | Franken | Van Der Avoort | 2012}}

===Expansion (1973–1982)===
Since the 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]] and [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]]. The Israeli Air Force has operated a number of domestically produced types such as the [[IAI Nesher]], and later, the more advanced [[IAI Kfir]], which were derivatives of the French [[Dassault Mirage 5]]. The Kfir was adapted to utilize a more powerful U.S. engine, produced under license in Israel. On July 4, 1976, four Israeli [[C-130 Hercules]] transport aircraft secretly flew to Entebbe Airport for a [[Operation Entebbe|rescue operation]]. In March 1978, the Israeli Air Force participated in [[Operation Litani]].

On June 7, 1981, eight IAF F-16A fighters covered by six F-15A jets carried out [[Operation Opera]] to destroy the Iraqi nuclear facilities at Osiraq. Among the pilots who took part in the attack was [[Ilan Ramon]], later Israel's first [[astronaut]].

=== 1982 Lebanon War and aftermath ===
[[File:F-16-Netz-107-fighter-and-killmarks-01.jpg|thumb|An [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon#Variants|F-16A]] [[Netz 107|''Netz #107'']] of [[116 Squadron (Israel)|116 Squadron]] "Defenders Of The South" with 7.5 [[Victory marking|kill marks]], including the triangle symbol for [[Operation Opera]]]]
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 IAF 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 shoot down 86 Syrian aircraft without losing a single fighter plane in an air-to-air combat. IAF [[AH-1 Cobra]] [[helicopter gunship]]s destroyed dozens of Syrian [[armored fighting vehicle]]s and other ground targets, including some [[T-72]] [[main battle tank]]s.

In the decades since the war's official conclusion (including the [[South Lebanon conflict (1982–2000)|conflict that followed]]), the IAF has regularly conducted air strikes against targets in Southern Lebanon, namely [[Hezbollah]] positions.

On October 1, 1985, the IAF carried out [[Operation Wooden Leg]], which involved the bombing of the PLO Headquarters near [[Tunis]]. This was the longest combat mission ever undertaken by the IAF, traversing 2,300 kilometers.

===1990s and beyond===

In 1991, the IAF carried out [[Operation Solomon]] which brought [[Beta Israel|Ethiopian Jews]] to Israel. In 1993 and 1996, the IAF participated in [[Operation Accountability]] and [[Operation Grapes of Wrath]], respectively.
[[File:F-15I (remix).jpg|thumb|69 Squadron [[F-15I|F-15I Ra'ams]] at Red Flag 04-3]]
In the late 1990s, the IAF began acquiring the [[F-15E Strike Eagle#F-15I|F-15I]] Ra'am (Thunder) and the [[F-16I]] Sufa (Storm), 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#Python 5|Rafael Python 5]], with full-sphere capability, as well as a special version of the [[AH-64 Apache|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]]. By 2013 Israel became the world's largest exporter of [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drone]]s.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-is-world-s-largest-exporter-of-drones-study-finds.premium-1.524771|title=Israel is world's largest exporter of drones, study finds|newspaper=Haaretz|first=Gili|last=Cohen|date=19 May 2013|access-date=October 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304230631/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-is-world-s-largest-exporter-of-drones-study-finds.premium-1.524771|archive-date=March 4, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2016, Israel received its first pair of [[F-35 Lightning II]] from the United States.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/israel-waited-a-long-time-for-its-f-35-jets-then-it-waited-some-more/2016/12/12/2590ab1c-c089-11e6-a52b-a0a126eaf9f7_story.html?noredirect=on|title=Israel finally receives the first of its $5 billion order of U.S.-made F-35 jets|last=Booth|first=William|date=December 12, 2016|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=May 10, 2018|archive-date=July 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702061421/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/israel-waited-a-long-time-for-its-f-35-jets-then-it-waited-some-more/2016/12/12/2590ab1c-c089-11e6-a52b-a0a126eaf9f7_story.html?noredirect=on|url-status=live}}</ref>

Three months after the assassination of the leader of [[Hezbollah]], [[Abbas al-Musawi]], the IAF launched an offensive across [[South Lebanon]] with five air raids in six days. Some of the targets struck were as far north as [[Baalbek]]. On the final day, 26 May 1992, there were more than 40 missile strikes. Over 20 civilians were killed during the attacks.<ref>[[Middle East International]] No 426, 29 May 1992, Publishers [[Christopher Mayhew|Lord Mayhew]], [[Dennis Walters|Dennis Walters MP]]; Godfrey Jansen p.8</ref>

The Israeli Air Force took an extensive part in IDF operations during the [[al-Aqsa Intifada]], including the controversial [[targeted killing]]s of Palestinian terrorist leaders, most notably [[Salah Shakhade]], [[Ahmed Yassin]] and [[Abed al-Aziz Rantissi]]. While this policy was 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. In 2007, Israel achieved a [[civilian casualty ratio]] of 1:30, or one civilian casualty for every thirty combatant casualties, in [[Israeli targeted killings|its airstrikes on militants in the Palestinian territories]].<ref name=pin>{{cite web |first=Amos |last=Harel |url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/pinpoint-attacks-on-gaza-more-precise-1.236163 |title=Pinpoint attacks on Gaza more precise |work=Haaretz |date=December 30, 2007 |access-date=October 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129043129/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/pinpoint-attacks-on-gaza-more-precise-1.236163 |archive-date=January 29, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Alan Dershowitz]] noted that "No army in history has ever had a better ratio of combatants to civilians killed in a comparable setting".<ref name= dersh>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-dershowitz/targeted-killing-is-worki_b_79616.html,|title=Targeted Killing Is Working, So Why Is The Press Not Reporting It?|last=Dershowitz|first=Alan|date=January 3, 2008|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|access-date=February 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225258/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-dershowitz/targeted-killing-is-worki_b_79616.html,|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2006 Lebanon War===
[[File:F-16Isufa002.jpg|thumb|Israeli Air Force [[F-16I Sufa]] carried out many airstrikes during the Second Lebanon War.]]
The IAF played a critical role in the [[2006 Lebanon War]]. IAF 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, taking place during the second day of the war, resulted in the IAF destroying 59 [[Iran]]ian-supplied medium- and long-range [[Transporter erector launcher|missile launchers]] in just 34 minutes.<ref>{{cite web |last=Benn |first=Aluf |date=October 24, 2006 |url=https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/778485.html |title=Report: IAF wiped out 59 Iranian missile launchers in 34 minutes |work=Haaretz |location=Israel |access-date=September 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209070013/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/778485.html |archive-date=December 9, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[International reactions to the 2006 Qana airstrike|Widespread condemnation]] followed the July 30 [[Qana airstrike|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 Sea Stallion|CH-53 Yas'ur]] helicopter on the last day of the war, killing five crew members.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=233506|title=Security and Defense: Coordinating capabilities|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=August 12, 2011|access-date=August 12, 2011|first=Yaacov|last=Katz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814034543/http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=233506|archive-date=August 14, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2006/08/22/208558/israel-studies-ch-53-shoot-down.html|title= Israel studies CH-53 shoot-down|publisher= Flight global|date= August 6, 2006|access-date= August 12, 2011|first= Arie|last= Egozi|archive-date= December 14, 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191214202731/https://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2006/08/22/208558/israel-studies-ch-53-shoot-down.html|url-status= live}}</ref> Israeli aircraft shot down three of Hezbollah's [[Iran]]ian-made<ref>{{cite web|first1= Ze'ev|last1= Schiff|first2= Yoav|last2= Stern|url= https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=499935&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y|title= Report: Iran admits to supplying Hezbollah with drones|work= Haaretz|location= [[Israel|IL]]|access-date= September 8, 2011|date= November 10, 2004|archive-date= February 14, 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230214205744/https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=499935&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y|url-status= live}}</ref> aerial [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drones]] during the conflict.<ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.foxnews.com/story/israeli-airstrikes-target-hezbollah-in-southern-lebanon | publisher= Fox | newspaper= News | title= Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon | date= August 7, 2006 | access-date= August 2, 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080517065520/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,207259,00.html | archive-date= May 17, 2008 | url-status= live }}</ref>

===2007 Operation Outside the Box===

In the 2007 [[Operation Outside the Box]], the Israeli Air Force attacked a suspected Syrian nuclear weapons site.<ref name="Sunday Times Sep-16"/> The IAF used electronic warfare (EW) system to neutralize Syria's air defenses,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Features/And-they-struck-them-with-blindness|first=Yaakov|last=Katz|title=And They Struck Them With Blindness|date=29 September 2010|website=Jerusalem Post|access-date=10 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220171630/http://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Features/And-they-struck-them-with-blindness|archive-date=December 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> feeding them a false sky-picture while IAF jets crossed much of Syria, bombed their targets and returned to Israel unchallenged.<ref name="auto">[http://aviationweek.com/awin/israel-shows-electronic-prowess Israel Shows Electronic Prowess] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220153014/http://aviationweek.com/awin/israel-shows-electronic-prowess |date=December 20, 2016 }} Nov 26, 2007, David A. Fulghum and Robert Wall, Aviation Week & Space Technology</ref>

===Operations in Gaza===
[[File:Oferet-Yetzuka-F16I.jpg|thumb|Israeli Air Force [[F-16I Sufa]] preparing for take off to strike Hamas targets, during [[Operation Cast Lead]] (2008–2009).]]
Since [[Battle of Gaza (2007)|Hamas' takeover of Gaza]] in 2007, the Israeli Air Force has taken part in repeated bouts of violence between Israel and the Hamas-held Gaza Strip. In December 2008, the IAF spearheaded [[Operation Cast Lead]], carrying out more than 2,360 air strikes. It had a principal role in destroying [[Hamas]] targets, and killed several senior Hamas commanders, including [[Said Seyam]],<ref>{{Citation | url = https://www.haaretz.com/news/profile-slain-hamas-minister-was-key-figure-in-07-gaza-coup-1.268241 | type = profile | title = Slain Hamas minister was key figure in '07 Gaza coup | newspaper = Ha'aretz | date = January 15, 2009 | access-date = January 6, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021060117/http://www.haaretz.com/news/profile-slain-hamas-minister-was-key-figure-in-07-gaza-coup-1.268241 | archive-date = October 21, 2012 | url-status = live }}.</ref> [[Nizar Rayan]],<ref name="ICT0209">{{cite news |url= http://www.ict.org.il/Articles/tabid/66/Articlsid/590/currentpage/1/ |title= The Mujaheed Sheikh – Dr. Nizar Rayyan The Spiritual Mentor of Iz A-Din Al Qassam Brigades |last= Fighel |first= Jonathan |date= February 1, 2009 |publisher= [[International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism]] |access-date= May 31, 2009 |archive-date= February 14, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230214220706/https://www.ict.org.il/Articles/tabid/66/Articlsid/590/currentpage/1/ }}</ref> [[Tawfik Jaber]],<ref>{{Citation | newspaper = Israel national news | url = http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129062 | title = Peres: 'Anyone Asking Israel to Stop Shooting, Change Address' | date = December 28, 2008 | access-date = January 6, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120314194607/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129062 | archive-date = March 14, 2012 | url-status = live }}.</ref> and Abu Zakaria al-Jamal.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.eagleworldnews.com/2009/01/03/hamas-commander-abu-zakaria-al-jamal-killed/ | title = Hamas Commander Abu Zakaria al-Jamal Killed | newspaper = Eagle World News | date = January 3, 2009 | access-date = January 6, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718143616/http://www.eagleworldnews.com/2009/01/03/hamas-commander-abu-zakaria-al-jamal-killed/ | archive-date = July 18, 2011 }}.</ref>

According to a [[CBS News|CBS news]] report, in January 2009 Israeli planes [[2009 Sudan air raids|struck a convoy of trucks]] in Sudan headed for [[Egypt]] and carrying weapons apparently meant for the [[Gaza Strip]]. Seventeen trucks were bombed, and thirty-nine smugglers were killed in the strike.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3692507,00.html |title = Report: IAF struck arms convoy in Sudan in January |date = March 26, 2009 |work = Ynet |access-date = March 26, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090329045918/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3692507,00.html |archive-date = March 29, 2009 |url-status = live }}</ref> On April 5, 2011, a car driving from [[Port Sudan Airport]] to [[Port Sudan]] was [[2009 Sudan airstrikes#Further strikes|destroyed]] by a missile. Both passengers were killed. one of whom may have been a senior Hamas military commander. The Sudanese Foreign Minister blamed the attack on Israel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sudan-strike-idUSTRE73523V20110406|title=Sudan accuses Israel of attack near main port city|date=April 6, 2011|first1=Deepa|last1=Babington|first2=Khaled|last2=Abdelaziz|work=Reuters|access-date=July 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924152243/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/06/us-sudan-strike-idUSTRE73523V20110406|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Sudanese newspapers reported that Israeli aircraft attacked Gaza-bound arms convoys again in late 2011.<ref>{{Citation | url = https://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/reports-in-sudan-israel-struck-two-weapons-convoys-in-past-month-1.403521 | title = Reports in Sudan: Israel struck two weapons convoys in past month | newspaper = Ha'aretz | date = December 25, 2011 | access-date = February 26, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120214022709/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/reports-in-sudan-israel-struck-two-weapons-convoys-in-past-month-1.403521 | archive-date = February 14, 2012 | url-status = live | last1 = Issacharoff | first1 = Avi | last2 = Harel | first2 = Amos }}.</ref> On October 24, 2012, Sudan claimed that Israel had [[Yarmouk munitions factory explosion|bombed a munitions factory]] south of Khartoum.<ref name="aj25">{{cite news |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/10/20121024142531802810.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=25 October 2012 |access-date=October 25, 2012 |title=Khartoum fire blamed on Israeli bombing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025202125/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/10/20121024142531802810.html |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/sudan/9631769/Israeli-jets-bombed-weapons-factory-in-Khartoum-Sudan-claims.html| title=Israeli jets 'bombed weapons factory in Khartoum', Sudan claims| date=24 Oct 2012| access-date=November 20, 2012| newspaper=The Daily Telegraph| location=London| first=David| last=Blair| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102113713/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/sudan/9631769/Israeli-jets-bombed-weapons-factory-in-Khartoum-Sudan-claims.html| archive-date=November 2, 2012| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | title = Israeli Sudanese factory secret war | date = 2010-10-25 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/25/israeli-sudanese-factory-secret-war | newspaper = The Guardian | location = London, [[United Kingdom|UK]] | first = Ian | last = Black | access-date = December 17, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170118063826/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/25/israeli-sudanese-factory-secret-war | archive-date = January 18, 2017 | url-status = live }}.</ref>

The Israeli Air Force also operates surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery units. Since 1990 their primary role has been the interception of surface-to-surface missiles and rockets fired into Israel. In 2011 the IAF began operating the '[[Iron Dome]]' anti-rocket missile system, which within a year had successfully intercepted and destroyed 93 rockets fired at Israeli towns from Gaza.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.idf.il/1283-15558-en/Dover.aspx | title = IDF | place = [[Israel|IL]] | access-date = May 7, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121017192303/http://www.idf.il/1283-15558-en/Dover.aspx | archive-date = October 17, 2012 | url-status = live }}.</ref>

In November 2012, the IAF participated in [[Operation Pillar of Defense]], during which, according to the [[IDF Spokesperson]], Israeli forces targeted more than 1,500 military sites in Gaza Strip, including rocket launching pads, smuggling tunnels, command centers, and weapons manufacturing and storage facilities. Many of these attacks were carried out by the Air Force.<ref name="IdfOfficialSummary">{{cite web | url= http://www.idfblog.com/2012/11/22/operation-pillar-of-defense-summary-of-events/ | title= Operation Pillar of Defense: Summary of Events | publisher= IDF | date= 2012-11-22 | type= [[World Wide Web]] log | access-date= November 24, 2012 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170417122742/https://www.idfblog.com/2012/11/22/operation-pillar-of-defense-summary-of-events/ | archive-date= April 17, 2017 }}</ref>

Between July 8 and August 5, 2014, the IAF participated in [[Operation Protective Edge]], during which, according to the IDF Spokesperson, Israeli forces targeted 4,762 terror sites across the Gaza Strip, including rocket launching sites, command and control centers, military administration facilities, weapons storage and manufacturing facilities and training and military compounds.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.idfblog.com/blog/2014/08/05/operation-protective-edge-numbers/ | title= Operation Protective Edge by the Numbers | publisher= IDF | date= 2014-08-05 | access-date= August 17, 2014 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140811101934/http://www.idfblog.com/blog/2014/08/05/operation-protective-edge-numbers/ | archive-date= August 11, 2014 | url-status= live }}</ref>

In May 2021, Israeli artillery and air force carried out 1,500 strikes on Gaza during [[Operation Guardian of the Walls]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Sam|last=Sokol|url=https://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/.premium.HIGHLIGHT-11-days-4-340-rockets-and-261-dead-the-israel-gaza-fighting-in-numbers-1.9836041|title=11 Days, 4,340 Rockets and 261 Dead: The Israel-Gaza Fighting in Numbers|work=Haaretz|date=23 May 2021|url-access=limited|access-date=May 26, 2021|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524122432/http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/.premium.HIGHLIGHT-11-days-4-340-rockets-and-261-dead-the-israel-gaza-fighting-in-numbers-1.9836041|url-status=live}}</ref> Starting in October 2023, the Israeli Air Force fulfilled a main role in the [[Gaza war]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Israel's military campaign in Gaza seen as among the most destructive in recent history, experts say |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-bombs-destruction-death-toll-scope-419488c511f83c85baea22458472a796 |website=AP News |language=en |date=21 December 2023}}</ref>

===Syrian Civil War===
{{See also|Israeli–Syrian ceasefire line incidents during the Syrian Civil War|History of the Israeli Air Force}}
[[File:F-35I - Air Force Fly By on Tel Aviv Beach 2019 IMG 3716.JPG|thumb|The [[F-35I Adir]] recorded its first operational strike, targeting Iranian military facilities in [[Syria]] during 2018's clashes. The F-35I also recorded the first operational shoot down for the F-35, intercepting two [[Iran]]ian [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drones]] in 2021.]]
The [[Syrian Civil War|civil war]] raging within Israel's northern neighbor, has occasionally witnessed activity by the IAF, some overt, some unacknowledged and some merely attributed. Notable actions include:
* The downing of a Syrian Air Force [[Sukhoi Su-24]] on September 23, 2014: The aircraft was shot down by an IAF [[MIM-104 Patriot]] air defense battery, after allegedly crossing the Syrian-Israeli ceasefire line during a ground attack mission against Syrian opposition forces.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4574214,00.html|last=Raved|first=Ahiya|title=IDF: Syrian fighter jet shot down over Golan|date=23 September 2014|work=ynet.co.il|access-date=September 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924065942/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4574214,00.html|archive-date=September 24, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On August 20 and 21, 2015, after four rockets hit the Golan Heights and Upper Galilee, Israel launched [[August 2015 Israel–Syria border incident|airstrikes]] in Syria, killing several militants.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4693080,00.html|title=IAF strikes in Syria, kills rocket launchers|work=Ynet News|date=August 21, 2015|access-date=August 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821234020/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4693080,00.html|archive-date=August 21, 2015|url-status=live|last1=Zitun|first1=Yoav|last2=Kais|first2=Roi}}</ref>
* The [[March 2017 Israeli airstrikes in Syria]]: On March 17, 2017, Israeli jet fighters attacked targets in Syria. Several [[S-200 (missile)|S-200]] missiles were fired at the jets, and one missile was shot down by an [[Arrow (Israeli missile)|Arrow 2 missile]]; no aircraft were damaged.<ref name="Hezbollah">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/17/middleeast/israel-jets-syria-strikes/index.html|title=Israeli jets strike inside Syria; evade anti-aircraft missiles|author1=Oren Liebermann |author1-link=Oren Liebermann |author2=Euan McKirdy|website=CNN|date=March 17, 2017|access-date=2017-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317185821/http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/17/middleeast/israel-jets-syria-strikes/index.html|archive-date=March 17, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4936768,00.html|title=סוריה: "4 מטוסים תקפו מוצב צבאי. תהיה תגובה ישירה"|date=2017-03-17|work=Ynet|access-date=2017-03-17|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317152707/http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4936768,00.html|archive-date=March 17, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name = firstuse>{{cite web | url = http://www.defensenews.com/articles/israels-arrow-scores-first-operational-hit-but-against-what | work = [[Defense News]] | title = Israel's Arrow scores first operational hit — but against what? | first = Barbara | last = Opall-Rome | date = 2017-03-17 | access-date = 2017-03-17 | archive-date = February 20, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230220163902/https://www.defensenews.com/land/2017/03/17/israels-arrow-scores-first-operational-hit-but-against-what/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name = firstuse2>{{cite web | url = http://www.defensenews.com/articles/israel-explains-arrow-intercept-of-syrian-sam | work = [[Defense News]] | title = Israel explains Arrow intercept of Syrian SAM | first = Barbara | last = Opall-Rome | date = 2017-03-20 | access-date = 2017-03-20 | archive-date = February 20, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230220164144/https://www.defensenews.com/land/2017/03/20/israel-explains-arrow-intercept-of-syrian-sam/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The incident was the first clearly confirmed Israeli strike on Syrian territory during the [[Syrian Civil War]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/IDF-denies-claim-that-Syria-shot-down-Israeli-jet-484465|title=IDF denies claim that Syria shot down Israeli jet|work=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|access-date=2017-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317151325/http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/IDF-denies-claim-that-Syria-shot-down-Israeli-jet-484465|archive-date=March 17, 2017|url-status=live |issn=0792-822X}}</ref>
* On February 10, 2018, an Israeli AH-64 [[February 2018 Israel–Syria incident|shot down]] an Iranian drone that entered Israel. 4 Israeli F-16's launched a strike into Syria while remaining in Israeli airspace, reportedly to strike Iranian drone control facilities, conducting a cross-border raid. One of the F-16s was shot down by Syrian surface to air missiles and crashed in northern Israel, the first Israeli jet to be shot down in combat since 1982. Both pilots managed to eject in Israeli territory. The pilots were injured but walked out of hospital around a week later.<ref>
[https://www.timesofisrael.com/critically-wounded-pilot-downed-in-syria-strike-walks-out-of-hospital Critically wounded pilot downed in Syria strike walks out of hospital] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308165527/https://www.timesofisrael.com/critically-wounded-pilot-downed-in-syria-strike-walks-out-of-hospital/ |date=March 8, 2018 }} By TOI STAFF,
18 February 2018
</ref> Israel subsequently attacked Syrian air defenses and Iranian targets.<ref>[https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/article/israeli-jet-crashes-amid-syrian-air-strikes-w7nb9fkjb Israeli jet crashes under fire on Syrian border], The Times, 10 Feb 2018</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/LTCJonathan/status/962435411862802432|title=Jonathan Conricus on Twitter|access-date=February 11, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109043209/https://twitter.com/LTCJonathan/status/962435411862802432|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On May 10, 2018, after Iranian elite forces on the Syrian-held side of the Golan Heights fired around 20 rockets towards Israeli army positions without causing damage or injuries,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Shots-fired-towards-Israeli-communities-in-the-Golan-556017|title=Projectiles Fired Towards Israeli Forward Defensive Line in the Golan|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=10 May 2018|access-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510021308/https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Shots-fired-towards-Israeli-communities-in-the-Golan-556017|archive-date=May 10, 2018|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite news |last=Chamberlain |first=Samuel |date=9 May 2018 |title=Iran forces launch missiles at Israel from Syria, IDF says |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/israel-targets-iranian-forces-in-syria-after-rocket-attack-on-golan-heights |work=Fox News |access-date=9 May 2018 |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510115308/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/05/09/iran-forces-launch-missiles-at-israel-from-syria-idf-says.html |archive-date=May 10, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Israel [[May 2018 Israel–Iran incidents|responded with rounds of rocket fire into Syria]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Syrian-state-media-repeated-rounds-of-Israeli-rockets-hit-Syria-556023|title=SYRIAN STATE MEDIA: REPEATED ROUNDS OF ISRAELI ROCKETS HIT SYRIA|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=10 May 2018|access-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510114844/https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Syrian-state-media-repeated-rounds-of-Israeli-rockets-hit-Syria-556023|archive-date=May 10, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The Israeli Air Force confirmed the strikes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaf.org.il/4472-50171-en/IAF.aspx|title=Widescale Attack of Iranian Targets|publisher=IAF Official Website|date=10 May 2018|access-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511012902/http://www.iaf.org.il/4472-50171-en/IAF.aspx|archive-date=May 11, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Twenty-three fighters, among them 18 foreigners, were killed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/israel-launches-extensive-syria-strike-after-iranian-rocket-barrage-1.6073938|title=Israel Launches Most Extensive Strike in Syria in Decades After Iranian Rocket Barrage|newspaper=Haaretz|date=10 May 2018|access-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520165112/https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/israel-launches-extensive-syria-strike-after-iranian-rocket-barrage-1.6073938|archive-date=May 20, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> IAF commander [[Amikam Norkin]] said Israel used its [[F-35]] stealth fighters for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kubovich |first=Yaniv |date=22 May 2018 |title=Israel Is First Country in World to Carry Out 'Operational Attack' With the F-35 Stealth Fighter, Air Force Chief Says |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/iranians-fired-32-rockets-at-israel-during-flare-up-israeli-air-force-1.6110706 |agency=Haaretz |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522120431/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/iranians-fired-32-rockets-at-israel-during-flare-up-israeli-air-force-1.6110706 |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On September 17, 2018, Syrian media reported several [[Syria missile strikes (September 2018)|explosions over the city of Latakia]] after allegedly intercepting missiles fired from the Mediterranean Sea. Israel assumed responsibility for the attack on Latakia, following the shoot down of a Russian reconnaissance plane by Syrian air defense systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-rare-move-idf-admits-syria-strike-expresses-sorrow-over-russian-plane/|title=In rare move, IDF admits Syria strike, expresses sorrow over Russian plane|newspaper=The Times of Israel|date=18 September 2018|access-date=September 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919115950/https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-rare-move-idf-admits-syria-strike-expresses-sorrow-over-russian-plane/|archive-date=September 19, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> SANA news agency claimed ten people were injured by the Israeli attack.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/.premium-blasts-heard-in-syrian-port-city-lattakia-1.6489630|title='Israel Launches Series of Strikes on Targets Near Syria's Lattakia'|date=18 September 2018|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=September 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918054346/https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/.premium-blasts-heard-in-syrian-port-city-lattakia-1.6489630|archive-date=September 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported two Syrian soldiers died,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=102779|title=Two soldiers killed in the violent missile attacks on the eastern outskirts of Latakia's suburbs|date=September 18, 2018|access-date=September 19, 2018|archive-date=March 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325214938/http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=102779|url-status=live}}</ref> while 113 Iranian soldiers have been killed during the past month as a result of Israeli strikes in Syria.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israeli-strikes-on-syria-killed-113-iranian-soldiers-1.6489386|title=Israeli Strikes on Syria Killed 113 Iranian Soldiers Over Past Month, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Reports|date=17 September 2018|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=September 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919200747/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israeli-strikes-on-syria-killed-113-iranian-soldiers-1.6489386|archive-date=September 19, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2023–2025 Gaza war===
In the [[Israel–Gaza war]] beginning in October 2023, the IAF played a major role through its [[bombing of Gaza]] and subsequent support for ground troops in the ensuing [[invasion of the Gaza Strip]].

==Organization==
{{See also|List of Israeli Air Force aircraft squadrons}}

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" align="center" width="100%"
|-
!Order of Battle
|-----
|[[File:IDF Air Force.png|center|1000px]]
|-----
|}

===Administrative organization===
{{Location map+ | Israel | width = 300px| float = right | border = | caption =Israeli Air Force air bases (blue) | alt = | relief =  | overlay_image = | places ={{Location map~ | Israel | label = [[Tel Aviv]] | label_size = 100 | position = left | background = | mark = | marksize = | link = | lat_deg =32 | lat_min =4 | lat_sec = 34 | lat_dir = N | lon_deg = 34 | lon_min = 47 | lon_sec = 0 | lon_dir = E }}
{{Location map~ | Israel | label = [[Jerusalem]] | label_size = 100 | position = right| lat_deg = 31 | lat_min = 47 | lat_sec = | lat_dir = N | lon_deg = 35 | lon_min = 13 | lon_sec = | lon_dir = E }}
{{Location map~ | Israel | label = [[Haifa]] | label_size = 100 | position = left | lat_deg = 32 | lat_min = 49 | lat_sec = | lat_dir = N | lon_deg = 34 | lon_min = 59 | lon_sec = | lon_dir = E }}
{{Location map~ | Israel | label = [[Beersheba]] | label_size = 100 | position = top| lat_deg = 31 | lat_min = 15 | lat_sec = 32 | lat_dir = N | lon_deg = 34 | lon_min = 47 | lon_sec = 59 | lon_dir = E }}
{{Location map~ | Israel | label = [[Eilat]] | label_size = 100 | position = top| lat_deg = 29 | lat_min = 33 | lat_sec = | lat_dir = N | lon_deg = 34 | lon_min = 57 | lon_sec = | lon_dir = E }}

{{Location map~ | Israel | label = [[Ramat David Airbase|Ramat David]] | label_size = 100 | position = bottom| lat_deg = 32| lat_min = 39| lat_sec = 54 | lat_dir = N | lon_deg = 35 | lon_min = 10 | lon_sec = 46| lon_dir = E |mark = Blue_pog.svg}}

{{Location map~ | Israel | label = [[Palmachim Airbase|Palmachim]] | label_size = 100 | position = left | lat_deg = 31| lat_min = 53| lat_sec = 52 | lat_dir = N | lon_deg = 34 | lon_min = 41 | lon_sec = 26| lon_dir = E |mark = Blue_pog.svg}}

{{Location map~ | Israel | label = [[Tel Nof Airbase|Tel Nof]] | label_size = 100 | position = right| lat_deg = 31| lat_min = 50| lat_sec = 22 | lat_dir = N | lon_deg = 34 | lon_min = 49 | lon_sec = 18| lon_dir = E |mark = Blue_pog.svg}}

{{Location map~ | Israel | label = [[Hatzor Airbase|Hatzor]] | label_size = 100 | position = left| lat_deg = 31| lat_min = 45| lat_sec = 45 | lat_dir = N | lon_deg = 34 | lon_min = 43 | lon_sec = 38| lon_dir = E |mark = Blue_pog.svg}}

{{Location map~ | Israel | label = [[Hatzerim Airbase|Hatzerim]] | label_size = 100 | position = bottom| lat_deg = 31| lat_min = 14| lat_sec = 00| lat_dir = N | lon_deg = 34 | lon_min = 39 | lon_sec = 45| lon_dir = E |mark = Blue_pog.svg}}

{{Location map~ | Israel | label = [[Nevatim Airbase|Nevatim]] | label_size = 100 | position = right| lat_deg = 31| lat_min = 12| lat_sec = 30| lat_dir = N | lon_deg = 35 | lon_min = 00 | lon_sec = 44| lon_dir = E |mark = Blue_pog.svg}}

{{Location map~ | Israel | label = [[Ramon Airbase|Ramon]] | label_size = 100 | position = right| lat_deg = 30| lat_min = 46| lat_sec = 29| lat_dir = N | lon_deg = 34 | lon_min = 40 | lon_sec = 04| lon_dir = E |mark = Blue_pog.svg}}

{{Location map~ | Israel | label = [[Ovda Airport|Ovda]] | label_size = 100 | position = top| lat_deg = 29| lat_min = 56| lat_sec = 25| lat_dir = N | lon_deg = 34 | lon_min = 56 | lon_sec = 09| lon_dir = E |mark = Blue_pog.svg}}

{{Location map~ | Israel | label = [[Sdot Micha Airbase|Sdot Micha]] | label_size = 100 | position = bottom| lat_deg = 31| lat_min = 44| lat_sec = 19| lat_dir = N | lon_deg = 34 | lon_min = 55 | lon_sec = 10| lon_dir = E |mark = Blue_pog.svg}}
}}

*Chief of Air Staff Group
*Fixed Wing Group
* Joint Warfare and Borders Group
*[[Air Intelligence Group|Intelligence Group]]
<!-- ** [[Technical Service for Intelligence Unit (VISINT unit)]] -->
*Equipment Group
<!-- ** [[Unit 22 - Air Maintenance Unit]]
**Unit "Ofeq" (Horizon, Air Force C4I) -->
*Manpower Group
*Chief Medical Officer
<!-- ** Air Medicine Unit -->

*[[Israeli Air Defense Command|Air Defense Command]]
**Air Defense School 883
* [[Air traffic Control Commend (Israel)|Air Traffic control Commend]]

=== Operational organization ===
[[File:Dargot 28062011 707 Refueling.jpg|thumb|IAF Boeing 707 refueling F-15s]]
*[[Ramat David Airbase]] (Wing 1)
**[[101 Squadron (Israel)|101 "First Fighter" Squadron]]
**[[105 Squadron (Israel)|105 "Scorpion" Squadron]]
**[[109 Squadron (Israel)|109 "Valley" Squadron]]
**[[157 Squadron (Israel)|157 "Squadron in the valley"]]
**[[160 Squadron (Israel)|160 "Shadow Hunters" Squadron]]
*[[Sdot Micha Airbase]] (Wing 2)
**150 Squadron
**199 Squadron
**248 Squadron
* [[Hatzor Airbase]] (Wing 4)
**[[100 Squadron (Israel)|100 "Flying Camel" Squadron]]
**[[144 Squadron (Israel)|144 "Phoenix" Squadron]]
**[[200 Squadron (Israel)|200 "First UAV" Squadron]]
*[[Hatzerim Airbase]] (Air Force Base 6)
**[[69 Squadron (Israel)|69 "Hammers" Squadron]]
**[[102 Squadron (Israel)|102 "Flying Tiger" Squadron]]
**[[IAF Aerobatic Team]]
**[[107 Squadron (Israel)|107 "Knights of the Orange Tail" Squadron]]
**Air Force Infantry School
*[[7th Wing (Israel)|7th wing]]
**[[Shaldag Unit|''Shaldag'']] – air force special operations unit
**[[Unit 669]] – [[medevac]] extraction unit
**[[Unit 5700]] – [[Aerodrome]] establishment and organisation unit
*[[Tel Nof Airbase]] (Air Force Base 8)
**[[106 Squadron (Israel)|106 "Spearhead" Squadron]]
**[[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 "Night Riders" Squadron]]
**[[133 Squadron (Israel)|133 "Knight of the Twin Tail" Squadron]]
**[[210 Squadron (Israel)|210 "White Eagle" Squadron]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://idfspokesperson.com/2010/12/21/iaf-opens-new-eitan-uav-squadron-to-operational-use-21-december-2010/ | title = IAF Opens New "Eitan" UAV Squadron to Operational Use, 21 December 2010 | publisher = Israel Defense Forces | date = December 21, 2010 | access-date = September 8, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111006032425/http://idfspokesperson.com/2010/12/21/iaf-opens-new-eitan-uav-squadron-to-operational-use-21-december-2010/ | archive-date = October 6, 2011 | url-status = live }}</ref>
**[[601 Squadron (Israel)|601 Squadron]] (Flight Test Center)
** [[Unit 555]] "Sky Crows" (electronic warfare unit)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Features/Article.aspx?id=189617|title=And they struck them with blindness|last=Katz|first=Yaakov|date=September 29, 2010|access-date=September 29, 2010|work=The Jerusalem Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002070042/http://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Features/Article.aspx?id=189617|archive-date=October 2, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Ovda International Airport|Ovda Airbase]] (Air Force Base 10)[[File:RamatDavid 020517 Lavi 01.jpg|thumb|An M-346 'Lavi' in IAF service.]]
** Aviation Professions School
** Air Force Officers School
*[[Haifa Airport|Haifa Airbase]] (Air Force Base 21)
**Technical Professions School
**IAF Technological College
*[[Ramon Airbase]] (Wing 25)
**[[113 Squadron (Israel)|113 "Hornet" Squadron]]
**[[119 Squadron (Israel)|119 "Bat" Squadron]]
**[[190 Squadron (Israel)|190 "Magic Touch" Squadron]]
**[[201 Squadron (Israel)|201 "The One" Squadron]]
**[[253 Squadron (Israel)|253 "Negev" Squadron]]
*[[Nevatim Airbase]] (Air Force Base 28)
**[[103 Squadron (Israel)|103 "Elephants" Squadron]]
**[[116 Squadron (Israel)|116 "Lions of the South" Squadron]]
**[[117 Squadron (Israel)|117 "First Jet" Squadron]]
**[[120 Squadron (Israel)|120 "Desert Giants" Squadron]]
[[File:IAI Heron( framed).jpg|thumb|A IAF Heron UAV in flight]]
**[[122 Squadron (Israel)|122 "Nahshon" Squadron]]
**[[131 Squadron (Israel)|131 "Knights of the Yellow Bird" Squadron]]
**[[140 Squadron (Israel)|140 "Golden Eagle" Squadron]]
*[[Palmachim Airbase]] (Air Force Base 30)
**[[123 Squadron (Israel)|123 "Desert Birds" Squadron]]
**[[124 Squadron (Israel)|124 "Rolling Sword" Squadron]]
**[[147 Squadron (Israel)|147 "Goring Ram" Squadron]]
**151 Squadron (Missile Testing Squadron)
**[[161 Squadron (Israel)|161 "Black Snake" Squadron]]
**[[166 Squadron (Israel)|166 "Spark" Squadron]]

==Aircraft==
===Current inventory===
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat aircraft]]
|-
| [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]]
| rowspan="3" | [[United States]]
| rowspan="3" | multirole
| [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle#F-15A|F-15A]]/[[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle#F-15C|C]]
| rowspan="2" | 66<ref name="World Air Forces 2026">{{cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |year=2025 |title=World Air Forces 2026 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=113841 |access-date=27 December 2025 |publisher=Flight Global |doi=}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15E Strike Eagle]]
|[[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle#F-15I|F-15I]]
|
|-
|[[Boeing F-15EX Eagle II|F-15EX Eagle II]]
|[[Boeing F-15EX Eagle II#F-15IA|F-15IA]]
|
|25 on order<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|-
| [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 Fighting Falcon]]
| United States
|[[Multirole combat aircraft|multirole]]
| [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16C/D|F-16C]]/[[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16I Sufa|I]]
| 173<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|
|-
| [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35 Lightning II]]
| United States
|[[Stealth aircraft|stealth]] multirole
| [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II#F-35I "Adir"|F-35I]]
| 45<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
| 30 on order<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Airborne early warning and control|AEW&C]]
|-
|[[Boeing 707#Military versions|Boeing 707]]
| United States / Israel 
| AEW&C
|[[EL/M-2075 Phalcon]]
|2<ref name="2019a">{{cite journal| author=International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)| author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies| title=The Military Balance 2019| journal=The Military Balance| volume=119| date=14 February 2019| language=en}}</ref>
|modified with [[Active electronically scanned array|AESA]] radar 
|-
| [[Gulfstream G550]]
| United States
| AEW&C
| [[Gulfstream G550#Variants|CAEW]]
|2<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
| equipped with the [[IAI EL/W-2085]] radar.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://mobiledevdesign.com/news/israel-receive-first-three-eitam-aew-aircraft |title= Israel to receive the first of three Eitam AEW aircraft |publisher= mobiledevdesign.com |date=  |access-date= 17 June 2017 |archive-date= April 12, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220412005230/http://mobiledevdesign.com/news/israel-receive-first-three-eitam-aew-aircraft |url-status= live }}</ref> 1 on order<ref name="World Air Forces 2025">{{cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |year=2024 |title=World Air Forces 2025 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=106507 |access-date=20 January 2025 |publisher=Flight Global |doi=}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Reconnaissance aircraft|Reconnaissance]]
|-
| [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Super King Air]]
| United States
| [[signals intelligence|SIGINT]] / [[Signals intelligence#Electronic signals intelligence|ELINT]]
| [[Beechcraft Super King Air#Variants|B200]]
| 13<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|
|-
| [[Gulfstream G550]]
| United States
| [[Signals intelligence|SIGINT]] / [[Surveillance aircraft|surveillance]]
| {{tooltip|2=Special Electronic Missions Aircraft|[[Gulfstream G550#Variants|SEMA]]}}
|4<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|1 used for reconnaissance<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Aerial refueling|Tanker]]
|-
| [[Boeing 707]]
| United States
| aerial refueling 
|[[KC-707|KC-707-300]]
| 7<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
| 1 used for transport<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|-
| [[Boeing KC-46 Pegasus|KC-46 Pegasus]]
| United States
| [[aerial refueling]] / [[Military transport aircraft|transport]]
| [[Boeing KC-46 Pegasus|KC-46A]]
| 
| 6 on order<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|-
| [[Lockheed Martin KC-130|KC-130 Hercules]]
| United States
| aerial refueling / transport
| [[Lockheed Martin KC-130#Variants|KC-130H]] 
| 7<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|-
| [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Super King Air]]
| United States
| [[Utility aircraft|utility]] / transport
| [[Beechcraft Super King Air#Model B200|B200]]
| 5<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
| two provide multi-engine training 
|-
| [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130 Hercules]]
| United States
| transport / [[Search and rescue|SAR]] 
|[[Lockheed C-130 Hercules#Variants|C-130E/H]]
 | 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|
|-
| [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|C-130J Super Hercules]] 
| United States
|[[Airlift#Tactical airlift|tactical airlift]]
| [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules#Variants|C-130J-30]] 
| 7<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
| 
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Military helicopter|Helicopters]]
|-
|[[Boeing AH-64 Apache|AH-64 Apache]]
| United States
|[[Attack helicopter|attack]]
||[[Boeing AH-64 Apache#AH-64A|AH-64A]]/[[Boeing AH-64 Apache#AH-64D|D]]
|48<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|30 [[Boeing AH-64 Apache|AH-64E]] on order<ref>{{Cite web |last=Administrator |title=U.S. submits $6.4B arms sale to Israel with 30 AH-64E helicopters and 3,250 armored vehicles |url=https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/u-s-submits-6-4b-arms-sale-to-israel-with-30-ah-64e-helicopters-and-3-250-armored-vehicles |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=armyrecognition.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|Sikorsky UH-60]]
| United States
|utility 
||[[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk#Utility variants|UH-60A/L]]
|50<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|
|-
|[[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|Sikorsky CH-53]]
| United States
|[[Military transport helicopter|heavy lift]]
|[[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion#Variants|S-65C-3]]
|21<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|12 [[Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion|CH-53K]] on order<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Trainer (aircraft)|Trainer aircraft]]
|-
| [[Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master|M-346 Lavi]]
| [[Italy]]
| advanced trainer
| [[Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master|M-346i]]
| 30<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|
|-
| [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]]
| United States
|conversion trainer
| [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle#Variants|F-15B/D]]
| 21<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
| 
|-
| [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 Fighting Falcon]]
| United States
| conversion trainer 
| [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16C/D|F-16D]]
| 49<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|
|-
| [[Beechcraft T-6 Texan II|T-6 Texan II]]
| United States
| intermediate trainer 
| [[Beechcraft T-6 Texan II#Variants|T-6A]]
| 20<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
| 
|-
| [[Grob G 120]]
| [[Germany]]
|basic trainer
| [[Grob G 120#Variants|G 120A-1]]
|16<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|
|-
|[[AgustaWestland AW119 Koala|AgustaWestland AW119]]
|Italy
|[[Helicopter|rotorcraft]] trainer
|AW119Kx<ref>https://www.iaf.org.il/9785-62382-he/IAF.aspx {{Bare URL inline|date=June 2025}}</ref>
|8<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|4 on order<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]]
|-
|[[IAI Eitan]]<ref name= "IISS">{{Citation | title = The Military Balance 2018 | page = 342 | publisher = [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] | date = April 14, 2018}}.</ref>
| Israel
|surveillance 
|Heron-TP
|
|[[Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle|MALE]]
|-
|[[IAI Heron]]<ref name="IISS" />
| Israel
|surveillance 
|Heron-1
|
|[[Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle|MALE]]
|-
|[[Hermes 900]]<ref name="IISS" />
| Israel
|surveillance 
|
|
|[[Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle|MALE]]
|-
|[[Elbit Hermes 450|Hermes 450]]<ref name="IISS" />
| Israel
|surveillance 
|
|
|tactical
|-
|[[Aeronautics Defense Orbiter|Orbiter 4]]
| Israel
|surveillance 
|
|
|tactical
|}
{{Gallery
| height = 160
| align = center
|File:IAF-F-35I-and-F-16I--Sufa--cropped-nf.jpg|An F-16I "Sufa" in flight
|File:Ah-64d.jpg|The Israeli AH-64D "Saraf"
|File:IAF-F-35I-2016-12-13_(cropped).jpg|The F-35I "Adir's" first flight in Israel
|File:Hatzerim 270613 Blackhawk (remix) copy.jpg|An Israeli UH-60L Yanshuf
|File:IAF - Operation New Order - 05.jpg|An F-15I "Ra'am" taking-off
|File:120516 Independence Flypast Hercules 02 (crpped).jpg|A C-130J Shimshon during [[Independence Day (Israel)|Israel's 68th Independence Day]]
}}

===Historic===
{{main|List of aircraft of the Israeli Air Force}}

===Munitions and space systems===
{{main|List of munitions used by the Israeli Air Force}}

==Pilot selection and training==
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Landing and Take-Off Exercise (2).jpg|thumb|IAF Pilots sit atop an F-16D ''Barak'']]
{{main |Israeli Air Force flight academy}}
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]].

[[Israel Defence Forces]] had until 1995 denied women the opportunity to become pilots. In 1995, civilian pilot and [[aeronautical engineer]] [[Alice Miller (pilot)|Alice Miller]] successfully petitioned the Israel High Court of Justice to take the Israeli Air Force pilot training exams, after being rejected on grounds of gender. The court in 1996 eventually ruled that the IAF could not exclude qualified women from pilot training. Even though Miller would not pass the exams, the ruling was a watershed, opening doors for women in new IDF roles. After the prohibition had been lifted, the first female graduate was [[F-16]] navigator "Shari" in 1998, followed three years later by [[Roni Zuckerman]], the first female jet fighter pilot in IAF history.{{Sfn | Norton | 2004 | p = 105}}<ref>{{cite news|first= Lauren Gelfond|last= Feldinger|title= Skirting history|work= The Jerusalem Post|access-date= October 11, 2011|date= September 21, 2008|url= https://www.jpost.com/Home/Article.aspx?id=114834|archive-date= December 21, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221221192954/https://www.jpost.com/Home/Article.aspx?id=114834|url-status= live}}</ref>

===Ranks===
IAF ranks are identical to other [[Israel Defense Forces ranks]]. The rank insignia are identical except for the use of silver against a dark blue background. The service's most senior-ranking active officer is the air force commander, which is the billet of a major general (''aluf''), and reports directly to the [[Chief of General Staff (Israel)|IDF Chief of Staff]].

====Officers====
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Israel}}
|}

====Enlisted====
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Israel}}
|}

==List of IAF commanders==
{{main|Commander of the Israeli Air Force}}

==See also==
*[[Lists of flying aces in Arab–Israeli wars]]
*[[IDF Code of Ethics|IDF code of ethics]]
*[[Nuclear weapons and Israel]]
*[[Post–World War II air-to-air combat losses]]
*[[Talpiot program]]

==References==

===Citations===
{{Reflist |32em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite magazine |last=Aloni |first=Shlomo |title=Trainers in Combat: Valour and Sacrifice in the Six Day War |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |issue= 94 |date=July–August 2001a |issn=0143-5450 |pages=42–55 }}
* {{cite book | last = Aloni| first =Shlomo| title= Arab-Israeli Air Wars|series= Combat Aircraft| year= 2001b|publisher= Osprey| location= UK|isbn = 978-1-84176-294-4 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mO02czQ9jyYC | author-mask = 3 }}
* {{Cite book | last = Aloni| first =Shlomo| title= Israeli Mirage and Nesher Aces|publisher=Osprey|year= 2004a|isbn=1-84176-783-2|location= UK | author-mask = 3 }}
* {{Cite book | last = Aloni| first =Shlomo| title= Israeli Phantom II Aces|publisher=Osprey|year=2004b |isbn=1-84176-653-4|location= UK | author-mask = 3 }}
* {{cite book| last = Aloni| first = Shlomo| title = Israeli A-4 Skyhawk Units in Combat| series = Combat Aircraft| year = 2009| publisher = Osprey| location = UK| isbn = 978-1-84603-430-5| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=xoeBjenEN9AC| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120225212022/http://books.google.com/books?id=xoeBjenEN9AC| archive-date = February 25, 2012| author-mask = 3}}
* {{cite book | last1= Aloni| first1=Shlomo| first2= Zvi|last2= Avidror|title= Hammers – Israel's Long-Range Heavy Bomber Arm: The Story of 69 Squadron | isbn = 978-0-7643-3655-3 |publisher=Schiffer Publishing |location=Atglen, PA|year= 2010 | author-mask = 3 }}
* {{Cite book | last = Dunstan|first= Simon| year = 2003 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=IqehogMZbTwC| title= The Yom Kippur War 1973 (1): The Golan Heights | publisher =Osprey Publishing |series=Campaign|isbn=978-1-84176-220-3|volume= 118 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Franken |first1=Johan |first2=Frank| last2=Van Der Avoort |date=October 2012 |title=Blue-Starred Defenders| journal = Air Forces Monthly | issue = 295 | pages= 72–83 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Gordon | first= Shmuel|language=he|title=Thirty hours in October|year=2008 |publisher=Ma'ariv Book Guild }}
* {{Cite book | last = Nordeen| first= Lon|title=Fighters Over Israel|publisher=Orion Books|year=1990|isbn = 0-517-56603-6 |place= New York }}
* {{cite book |last=Norton |first=William 'Bill' |title=Air War on the Edge – A History of the Israel Air Force and its Aircraft since 1947 |publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing|Midland Publishing]] |year=2004 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q84hAQAAIAAJ |isbn=1-85780-088-5}}

==Further reading==
* Amir, Amos. Brig Gen. ''Fire in the Sky : Flying in Defence of Israel''. Pen & Sword Aviation (2005). {{ISBN|1-84415-156-5}}
* Aloni, Shlomo. "The Last of the Wooden Wonders: The DH Mosquito in Israeli Service". ''Air Enthusiast'', No. 83, September–October 1999, pp.&nbsp;30–51. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}
* Cull, Brian and Aloni, Shlomo, with Nicolle, David. ''Spitfires Over Israel''. Grubb Street (1994). {{ISBN|0-948817-74-7}}
* Cull, Brian and Aloni, Shlomo, with Nicolle, David. ''Wings Over Suez''. Grubb Street (1996). {{ISBN|1-898697-48-5}}
* [[Giora Romm|Romm, Giora]]. Major Gen. ''Solitary: The Crash, Captivity and Comeback of an Ace Fighter Pilot''. Black Irish (2014). {{ISBN|978-1-936891-28-3}}
* [[Iftach Spector|Spector, Iftach]]. Brig Gen. ''Loud and Clear : The Memoir of an Israeli Fighter Pilot''. Zenith Press (2009). {{ISBN|978-07603-3630-4}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q462211|c=Category:Israeli Air Force|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|s=no|q=no}}
*{{official website}}
* {{Cite web | url = http://www.scramble.nl/il.htm | title =Israel Defence Force / Air and Space Arm |website=Scramble | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121012045515/http://www.scramble.nl/il.htm | archive-date = October 12, 2012 }}

{{Israeli Air Force}}
{{Israel Defense Forces}}
{{Israeli Air Force Squadrons}}
{{Air forces}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Israeli Air Force| ]]
[[Category:1948 establishments in Israel]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1948]]