The F-16I Sufa is Israel's heavily modified two-seat F-16 strike variant, combining the U.S.-built Fighting Falcon airframe with Israeli avionics, conformal fuel tanks, and local weapons integration. Direct sources document Sufa aircraft in Israeli strike missions over Gaza in 2023 and Operation Rising Lion sorties against Iran in 2025.
Israeli F-16I aircraft were documented taking off for airstrike missions in the Gaza Strip after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, with secondary analysis identifying Sufa aircraft among the Israeli F-16 force used in the campaign.
Role detailsIsraeli F-16I Sufa aircraft were documented in Operation Rising Lion strike sorties against Iran, including F-16Is shown carrying SDB, SPICE 1000, and Rampage precision weapons.
Role detailsThe F-16I Sufa keeps the F-16's single-engine fighter layout but is optimized for Israeli long-range strike work. Public technical reporting describes a two-seat aircraft with conformal fuel tanks, a dorsal avionics spine, Israeli electronic-warfare and mission systems, and local weapons integration.
Conformal fuel tanks increase fuel carriage without occupying underwing stations normally used for weapons or external tanks.
Israeli companies supplied or integrated avionics, electronic-warfare, helmet-display, and precision-weapon interfaces for the Sufa configuration.
The documented 2023 and 2025 rows both show the Sufa in strike use rather than as a generic air-defense fighter.
Sufa is the Israeli F-16I branch of the F-16 family: a two-seat Block 52-derived strike aircraft adapted around Israeli avionics, fuel, sensors, and weapons requirements.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| F-16D Block 52 | Baseline two-seat F-16 configuration | The Sufa is commonly described as a Block 52-derived two-seat F-16, modified for Israeli long-range strike and local avionics requirements. Sources: F-16I Soufa |
 | Parent aircraft family | The broader F-16 family page covers U.S. and international F-16 variants, while this record isolates the Israeli F-16I Sufa configuration and direct Sufa conflict use. Sources: F-16 Fighting Falcon Fact Sheet |
Open-source analysis of Operation Rising Lion identified several precision weapons carried by Israeli F-16I aircraft.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Small glide bomb | FPRI identified F-16I aircraft departing for Iran strike sorties with Small Diameter Bombs during Operation Rising Lion. Sources: Rising Lion's Air Offensive: Part I |
 | 1,000-pound guided bomb configuration | FPRI described Israeli F-16I aircraft carrying SPICE 1000-class weapons in Operation Rising Lion imagery. Sources: Rising Lion's Air Offensive: Part I |
 | Air-launched standoff weapon | FPRI identified Rampage among the weapons shown with Israeli F-16I aircraft in the Operation Rising Lion air offensive. Sources: Rising Lion's Air Offensive: Part I |
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
| F-16 family record | The Sufa remains an F-16 family aircraft, but its Israeli-specific configuration and documented conflict use justify a separate focused record. Sources: The IDF's Top 10 Innovations, F-16 Fighting Falcon Fact Sheet |
Lockheed Martin program reporting tied the F-16I to Israel's Peace Marble V procurement, a program that ultimately covered 102 two-seat aircraft.
Sources: Lockheed Martin, Israel Air Force Celebrate Inauguration of Newest F-16 Jet Fighter
Lockheed Martin and the Israeli Air Force celebrated the F-16I inauguration at Fort Worth before Israeli service deliveries.
Sources: Lockheed Martin, Israel Air Force Celebrate Inauguration of Newest F-16 Jet Fighter
Elbit Systems announced an Israeli Ministry of Defense contract to equip Israel's F-16I fleet with an advanced airborne self-protection suite.
Sources: Elbit Systems to Equip Israel's F-16I Aircraft with Advanced Self-Protection Suite
A Reuters image caption republished with RAND commentary identified Israeli F-16I fighter jets taking off for an airstrike mission in the Gaza Strip.
Sources: The Four Questions the U.S. Military Should Be Asking About Operation Swords of Iron
FPRI analysis and TWZ reporting documented Israeli F-16I Sufa aircraft in the June 2025 air offensive against Iran.
Sources: Rising Lion's Air Offensive: Part I, Israeli F-16I Navigator Opens Up About Striking Iran
