Although Israel won't receive its first F-35 fighters until 2014, Israeli firms are already hard at work designing external fuel tanks (to increase the range) for these aircraft. Being developed are fuel tanks that can be attached to the hard points on the wings (thus reducing the stealth capability), as well as conformal tanks (that blend in with the shape of the aircraft). The latter preserve most of the stealth capability.

Announcing these development projects so far in advance is apparently intended to send a message to Iran, the most likely target for F-35s operating at longer ranges.