What is the F-35 fighter jet Israel uses to bomb Gaza and Iran?

Explainer: Get to know the controversial warplane at the centre of UK arms exports to Israel.

What is the F-35?

The F-35 is an advanced ‘5th generation’ stealth fighter aircraft produced primarily by Lockheed Martin in the US.

In stealth mode, all the weapons are stored inside the plane to maintain a low radar profile.

Israeli F-35s have bombed Gaza in “beast mode” – carrying larger missiles mounted externally.

Israel also modified some of its F-35s so they have enough range to reach Iran without refueling.
How much of the plane is made in Britain?

Over 15% by value of every F-35 aircraft produced is made in the UK.

An F-35 costs about $80 million, which makes the UK share of each plane worth $12m.

Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway also contribute to the process.
Which parts of the plane are made in the UK?

At least 75 UK companies are involved in the production of the F-35.

Key components and subsystems made in the UK include:

Rear fuselage/tail, produced by BAE Systems in Lancashire;

Targeting lasers produced by Leonardo in Edinburgh;

Bomb release cables made by L3Harris in Brighton 

How many of the planes have been made?

Over 11,185 F-35s have been delivered globally so far.

The US has ordered 2,456, the UK wants 138 and Israel 75 – of which around 45 have been delivered so far.
Which attacks on civilians has the F-35 been linked to?

Israel used an F-35 in an attack on a designated ‘safe zone’ in Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, killing 90 people and injuring at least 300, in July 2024.

Israel has also used the plane to attack sites in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran, including some civilian targets.
What is the global supply pool?

F-35 parts are kept in a “global supply pool” – this is a common stockpile in the US and other locations.

From there they can be exported to any of the countries using the F-35 as needed, including Israel.
Are UK companies still allowed to export F-35 parts to Israel?

Yes. Although some arms exports to Israel were banned in September 2024, the British government made a specific exception for F-35 components provided they go via another country first.
What’s being done to stop that?

In May 2025 the Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq and Global Legal Action Network took the government to the High Court to challenge the F-35 exemption, and are awaiting a judgment in the next couple of months.