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F-16I Sufa

Lockheed Martin · Fighter / Attack · Israel · Modern (1992–2009)

F-16I Sufa — Fighter / Attack
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The F-16I Sufa (Hebrew: Storm) is an Israeli variant of the F-16D Block 50/52 — Lockheed Martin's principal F-16 export variant for the Israeli Air Force + the most-heavily-modified F-16 export model worldwide. Lockheed Martin (with IAI + Elbit + Rafael Israeli content) developed the F-16I in 1999-2003 under the IAF's 'Peace Marble V' programme; first delivery February 2004. About 102 F-16Is were delivered between 2004 and 2010. The aircraft serves the Israeli Air Force as its principal multirole strike fighter.

The F-16I uses 1 × General Electric F110-GE-129 afterburning turbofan (29,160 lbf). Maximum speed Mach 2.05, range 4,220 km (with conformal fuel tanks + drop tanks), service ceiling 18,000 m, MTOW 22,680 kg. The aircraft differs from the basic F-16D Block 50/52 in three major ways: (1) Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFTs) along the spine increase range by ~40% without occupying weapons stations, (2) Israeli avionics — Elta EL/M-2032 multi-mode radar (replaces US APG-68), Elbit DASH helmet-mounted sight, RAFAEL Sky Shield + ELL-8202 EW suites, (3) Israeli weapons integration — Python 5 + Derby AAMs, Spice + Popeye + Delilah PGMs, + KC-707 air-to-air refueling probe. The two-seat configuration is mandated for long-range strike missions where weapon-systems-officer (WSO) workload is high.

F-16I service centres on long-range strike + dual-fighter / strike roles. Famous missions include the 2007 Operation Orchard (Israeli air strike that destroyed the Syrian Al-Kibar nuclear reactor — F-16Is delivered the strike weapons), repeated 2018-present Iran-proxy strikes in Syria + Iraq, + the October 2023-present Hamas war airstrikes over Gaza. The October 2024 + April 2024 Iranian-attack-on-Israel responses included long-range F-16I strikes against Iranian air-defence + missile-launcher sites. The F-16I is the IAF's most-numerous strike platform; F-35I Adir (since 2016) provides the high-end stealth complement. The F-16I will continue in IAF service through ~2040 with progressive Block 70/72-equivalent upgrades.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The F-16I Sufa is a special fighter jet used by the Israeli Air Force. "Sufa" means "Storm" in Hebrew. It is based on the American F-16D fighter, but it has been changed a lot to make it even better.

Lockheed Martin built the Sufa together with Israeli companies. They worked on it from 1999 to 2003. The first plane was delivered in February 2004. About 102 of these jets were built and delivered by 2010.

The Sufa is faster than most other jets — it can fly at twice the speed of sound. It also has extra fuel tanks attached along its back. These tanks help it fly much farther without stopping to refuel. The range goes up by about 40 percent thanks to those tanks.

The Sufa uses special Israeli radar, cameras, and computers instead of the usual American ones. The pilot wears a smart helmet that helps aim weapons just by looking at a target. The Sufa is heavier than a large truck when fully loaded, weighing over 22,000 kilograms at takeoff.

The F-16I is the most heavily changed F-16 ever sold to another country. It is the main strike fighter of the Israeli Air Force today. It can carry many types of guided bombs and missiles to do many different jobs.

Fun Facts

  • The name Sufa means 'Storm' in Hebrew — a very cool name for a very fast jet!
  • The Sufa can fly faster than twice the speed of sound.
  • About 102 Sufa jets were built and handed over between 2004 and 2010.
  • The Sufa is heavier than a large dump truck when it is fully loaded for a mission.
  • Special fuel tanks along its back let the Sufa fly about 40 percent farther than a normal F-16.
  • The pilot uses a smart helmet to aim — wherever the pilot looks, the weapons can follow.
  • The Sufa uses Israeli radar and computers instead of the usual American ones.
  • The Sufa is the most heavily changed F-16 ever made for another country's air force.

Kids’ Questions

What does 'Sufa' mean?

Sufa is a Hebrew word that means 'Storm.' It is a fitting name for a jet that flies faster than twice the speed of sound!

How is the Sufa different from a normal F-16?

The Sufa has extra fuel tanks on its back to fly farther. It also uses special Israeli radar, computers, and weapons instead of the standard American ones. These changes make it the most heavily modified F-16 ever sold to another country.

Who made the F-16I Sufa?

Lockheed Martin built the Sufa together with Israeli companies called IAI, Elbit, and Rafael. They worked as a team to add Israeli technology to the basic F-16 design.

How many Sufa jets does Israel have?

About 102 Sufa jets were delivered to the Israeli Air Force. They arrived between 2004 and 2010. The Sufa is now the main strike fighter for Israel.

Variants

F-16I Sufa (2004)
Original two-seat F-16D Block 50/52 derivative.

Notable Operators

Israeli Air Force (2004-present)
Principal operator. 102 aircraft. Long-range strike + dual-fighter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Operation Orchard?

Operation Orchard was an Israeli Air Force airstrike on 6 September 2007 that destroyed a Syrian nuclear-reactor site under construction at Al-Kibar in eastern Syria. A 4-ship F-16I flight (with F-15I escort) penetrated Syrian airspace using ECM + low-altitude flight, struck the Al-Kibar facility with precision-guided bombs, + returned to Israel without losses. Syrian air defences did not engage — Israel reportedly conducted an Operation Suter cyber-attack disabling Syrian early-warning radars during the strike window. Israel did not acknowledge the strike for 11 years; Israeli officials confirmed responsibility in 2018. The reactor was reportedly North Korean-designed, with ~50 MW thermal capacity — sufficient for plutonium-weapons-grade production. Operation Orchard is studied as a model of pre-emptive counter-proliferation strike.

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