Israel Operates 348 U.S. Made Fighters and Helicopters To Assist In A War With Iran

By Chris Lange Published Jun 21, 9:46AM EDT

Key Points

Out of Middle Eastern militaries, Israel ranks fairly high in terms of its strength–much of this having to do with its air force
The IDF primarily uses the F-16 Sufa, a fairly versatile fighter jet introduced in 2004 with roughly 220 in active service
Apart from the Sufa and the Eagle, The IDF also uses helicopters like the AH-64 Apache, AS565 Panther, and UH-60 Black Hawk

Follow 24/7 Wall St. on Google

This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

Israel Operates 348 U.S. Made Fighters and Helicopters To Assist In A War With Iran — © aeroman3 / PDM 1.0 / Flickr

Out of Middle Eastern militaries, Israel ranks fairly high in terms of its strength–much of this having to do with its air force. While Israel might not have the largest air force in the region, it does have one of the most technologically advanced as it relies heavily on its Western allies to provide some of the newest fighter aircraft on the market. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the Israeli Air Force and what it has to offer going into a conflict with Iran.

To identify every aircraft in the Israeli Air Force, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed active military aircraft data from FlightGlobal’s 2025 World Air Forces report, an annual military aviation publication. We ranked the aircraft according to how many active units were in service. We have included supplemental data from the Military Factory regarding the type of aircraft, year introduced, classification, active number of aircraft, country of origin, manufacturer, top speed, and armament.

The IDF primarily uses the F-16 Sufa, a fairly versatile fighter jet introduced in 2004 with roughly 220 in active service. The F-16 can reach speeds near Mach 2 and carries various weapons, including missiles and guided munitions. Another mainstay of the Israeli Air Force is the F-15 Eagle. Israel was one of the first foreign operators of the F-15. The Eagle is a legendary American air superiority fighter that first entered service in 1976. One thing that stands out about this aircraft is its perfect combat record.

Apart from the Sufa and the Eagle, The IDF also uses helicopters like the AH-64 Apache, AS565 Panther, and UH-60 Black Hawk. These helicopters are equipped with machine guns and some can equip Hellfire missiles or Hydra rocket pods.

One of the newest additions to Israel’s Air Force is the F-35 Lightning II. This is a fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft with a lot to offer.

Here is a look at every aircraft in Israel’s Air Force:

Why Are We Covering This?

A guy in a soldier's uniform with an Israeli flag in his hand against a cloudy sky. Remembrance Day - Yom HaZikaron, Patriotic holiday, Israeli Independence Day - Yom Ha'atzmaut concept.

Israel’s Air Force is a cornerstone of its national defense, while also allowing it to project power within the region. These aircraft also serve in surveillance and reconnaissance roles which are vital for gathering intelligence, preventing emerging threats and planning future operations.

20. KC-46 Pegasus

Type: In-flight refueler / aerial tanker aircraft
Year introduced: 2019
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): Boeing
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 0
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 8
Top speed: 569 mph
Armament: None

19. Leonardo AW119 (Koala)

NYPD helicopter N319PD by Refueled Dot Net

NYPD helicopter N319PD (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Refueled Dot Net

Type: Lightweight utility helicopter
Year introduced: 2000
Country of Origin: Italy
Manufacturer(s): Leonardo-Finmeccanica
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 1
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 12
Top speed: 177 mph
Armament: None

18. IAI EL/W-2085 (G550)

Type: Airborne early warning and control aircraft
Year introduced: 2012
Country of Origin: Israel
Manufacturer(s): Israel Aircraft Industries / Gulfstream Aircraft
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 3
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 1
Top speed: 587 mph
Armament: None

17. Gulfstream V

Hatzerim 280616 Nachshon 01 by Oren Rozen

Hatzerim 280616 Nachshon 01 (CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED) by Oren Rozen

Type: Special elecontronic mission aircraft
Year introduced: 1997
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): Gulfstream
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 3
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 0
Top speed: 675 mph
Armament: None

16. AS565 Panther

Type: Multirole helicopter
Year introduced: 1985
Country of Origin: France
Manufacturer(s): Eurocopter
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 4
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 0
Top speed: 190 mph
Armament: Giat M621 20mm gun pods, 2.75″ rocket pods, AS-15 TT anti-ship missiles, HOT anti-tank missiles, Mark 46 torpedoes

15. Bell Model 206 (JetRanger / LongRanger)

Type: Light utility helicopter
Year introduced: 1967
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): Bell Helicopter Textron
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 4
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 0
Top speed: 122 mph
Armament: 7.62mm machine guns

14. Boeing 707

Type: In-flight refueler / aerial tanker aircraft
Year introduced: 1958
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): Boeing
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 7
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 0
Top speed: 551 mph
Armament: None

13. KC-130 Super Hercules

Type: Aerial tanker
Year introduced: 1962
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): Lockheed Martin
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 7
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 0
Top speed: 416 mph
Armament: None

12. C-130 Hercules

Type: Tactical transport
Year introduced: 1956
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): Lockheed Martin
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 8
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 0
Top speed: 373 mph
Armament: None

11. Grob G120A

Grob G 120 A by happy days photos and art

Grob G 120 A (CC BY 2.0 DEED) by happy days photos and art

Type: Lightweight basic trainer aircraft
Year introduced: 1999
Country of Origin: Germany
Manufacturer(s): Grob Aircraft
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 16
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 0
Top speed: 199 mph
Armament: None

10. Bell OH-58 Kiowa

Type: Light scout and reconnaissance helicopter
Year introduced: 1969
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): Bell Helicopter Textron
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 18
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 0
Top speed: 131 mph
Armament: 7.62mm machine gun/minigun pods, Hydra rocket pods, Hellfire anti-tank missiles, Stinger air-to-air missiles

9. T-6 Texan II

T-6 Texan II (CC BY 2.0) by Photographer 192

Type: Tandem-seat basic trainer aircraft
Year introduced: 2001
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): Raytheon Aircraft / Hawker Beechcraft (Textron Aviation)
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 20
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 0
Top speed: 320 mph
Armament: None

8. CH-53 Sea Stallion

Type: Heavy-lift transport helicopter
Year introduced: 1966
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): Sikorsky Aircraft / VFW-Fokker; Spey
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 22
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 12
Top speed: 196 mph
Armament: 12.7mm XM218, 12.7mm GAU-21, 7.62mm MG3 machine gun

7. King Air 200

Type: Multirole transport aircraft
Year introduced: 1964
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): Beechcraft
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 22
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 0
Top speed: 311 mph
Armament: None

6. Leonardo M-346 Master

Type: Advanced jet trainer
Year introduced: 2016
Country of Origin: Italy
Manufacturer(s): Leonardo-Finmeccanica
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 30
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 0
Top speed: 659 mph
Armament: None

5. F-35 Lightning II

Type: Advanced multirole strike fighter
Year introduced: 2016
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): Lockheed Martin / Northrop Grumman / BAE Systems
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 38
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 36
Top speed: 1199 mph
Armament: 25mm GAU-12/U, air-to-air missiles (Sidewinder, AMRAAM), guided bombs (Paveway II), general purpose bombs, JDAM bombs, cruise missiles (Stormshadow)

4. AH-64 Apache

Utah National Guard by The National Guard

Utah National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard

Type: Dedicated two-seat attack helicopter
Year introduced: 1986
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): Hughes / Boeing / McDonnell Douglas
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 48
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 0
Top speed: 183 mph
Armament: 30mm Hughes chain gun, Hellfire missiles, Hydra rockets, Stinger air-to-air missiles, Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

3. UH-60 Black Hawk

Type: Medium-lift multi-mission helicopter
Year introduced: 1979
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): Sikorsky Aircraft / PZL / Turkish Aerospace Industries
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 50
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 0
Top speed: 183 mph
Armament: 7.62mm general purpose machine gun, Hellfire missiles, GAU-19 12.7mm gatling gun, mine dispersal systems, 2.75″ FFAR rocket pods

2. F-15 Eagle

Type: Air superiority fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 1976
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): McDonnell Douglas / Boeing / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 87
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 25
Top speed: 1875 mph
Armament: 20mm M61A1, air-to-air missiles (Sidewinder, Sparrow), air-to-ground missiles (Maverick, HARM), Laser-guided bombs, cluster bombs

1. F-16I Sufa (Storm)

IA... (CC BY 4.0) by Major Ofer, Israeli Air Force

Type: Lightweight multirole fighter
Year introduced: 2004
Country of Origin: Israel
Manufacturer(s): Lockheed Martin / Elbit Systems; Israel Aerospace Industries
Active aircraft in Israeli Air Force: 223
Aircraft on order for Israeli Air Force: 0
Top speed: 1501 mph
Armament: 20mm M61A1, short-range air-to-air missiles on wingtip launchers

About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics.

Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.