Summary: The Israeli Air Force's F-16I Soufa, specifically enhanced for strategic operations, reflects Israel's advanced military capabilities, particularly in terms of nuclear warfare. Known as "Storm," the F-16I includes modifications like Israeli-designed conformal fuel tanks that increase its range by 50%, allowing it to carry additional armaments, including nuclear gravity bombs. Clearly, this would play a major role in any operations against Iran. 

-Israel, possessing a significant but undeclared nuclear arsenal, maintains a robust strategic posture in the Middle East. The F-16I, part of a fleet that is the largest outside the U.S., plays a crucial role in this strategy, alongside other platforms like the Dolphin-class submarines capable of launching nuclear-tipped cruise missiles.

-These capabilities underline Israel's commitment to maintaining its security autonomy, especially concerning perceived threats from Iran.

Israel's F-16I Soufa: Designed for Dominance in the Middle East

Israel’s F-16I “Soufa” (or, “Storm”) warplanes are designed for one thing: striking Iran. 

In general, the F-16 is an incredible fourth-generation warplane. But the Israelis took the F-16 and supped it up to all new levels. These F-16s have Israeli-designed conformal fuel tanks that have greatly enhanced the fuel range of these birds by an astonishing 50 percent.

Because the Israelis moved the location of these larger tanks to both sides of the upper fuselage, the F-16I can carry more weapons. More importantly, the F-16I Soufa can likely carry nuclear gravity bombs. 

Israel’s Nuclear Capabilities

Israel is believed to possess anywhere from 90 to 400 nuclear weapons, with most experts agreeing that the number is much closer to 400 than to 90.

What’s more, many of their nukes are neutron bombs, which are likely tiny thermonuclear weapons that kill human beings but leave buildings intact. 

Beyond these nightmarish weapons, the Israelis have a tiny fleet of German-built Dolphin-class submarines that can likely fire up to four nuclear-tipped cruise missiles. 

The addition of F-16I-carried nuclear gravity bombs now means that Israel seems to have a nuclear triad (albeit a modest one).

This is far more than their Iranian rivals possess. In fact, Israel has the most advanced (undeclared) nuclear weapons arsenal in the Middle East. 

Israel Has Largest F-16 Fleet Other Than the US

The Israeli Air Force purchased a block of 50 F-16D birds from the United States in 2001. The deal that Israel made allowed for them to option an additional 52 F-16Ds from America. As noted above, the Israelis modified these F-16Ds to conform with their requirements for remaining a dominant military power in the dangerous Middle East. 

With over 300 of their modified F-16Is in their fleet, Israel operates the largest fleet of F-16s outside of the United States. Israel’s F-16I “Soufa” warplanes come exclusively in the two-seat configuration (F-16s are built in a one-seat or two-seat configuration, depending on the model).

The F-16I Soufa made its maiden flight in Israel in December 2003. From there, the first two F-16Is were delivered to Israel’s Ramon Air Base in 2004. Deliveries of the legendary warbirds were made in pairs every month from 2004 until 2009. The augmentations to the F-16 design for Israel’s Air Force are made for the F-16I by the Cyclone Aviation Products Israeli firm. Yet, the manufacture of these augmented F-16s is done at a Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Tex.

F-16I Specs

Sufa’s weapons package is impressive. It can carry short-range, air-to-air missiles. Specifically, the Python 4 and Python 5, which are built and supplied by the French firm Rafael. The Python 5 uses an imaging infrared guidance system to launch on targets after launch. 

This makes the F-16I a highly effective dogfighter. 

Meanwhile, the F-16I carries air-to-ground missiles as well. These weapons can include anti-submarine warfare (ASW) systems, anti-radiation missiles, laser-guided bombs, GPS bombs, and runway attack munitions provided by the Israeli Military Industries (IMI). 

The F-16I is powered by the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines producing over 51,000 pounds of thrust. This warbird was meant for striking far and hard against Iranian targets. Now, the Israeli Air Force has a large—and growing—fleet of fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II warplanes that can do even more than the F-16I. 

But Iran should be aware: despite what Israel says, the Israeli military has for years possessed the means of the Islamic Republic’s destruction. 

About the Author

Brandon J. Weichert, a National Interest national security analyst, is a former Congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who is a contributor at The Washington Times, the Asia Times, and The-Pipeline. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine, is due October 22 from Encounter Books. Weichert can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.