Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) — Aircraft Involved
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), founded in 1953 as Bedek Aviation and renamed in 1967, is Israel's largest defence and aerospace company. Operating from its main facility at Ben Gurion International Airport, Lod, IAI has developed an exceptional range of civilian business jets and military combat aircraft — many of which entered service with air forces and operators worldwide. This article presents the complete known aircraft production record, divided into civilian and military categories.
Civilian Aircraft
IAI Westwind Series (1965–1987)
The Westwind lineage traces its origins to the Aero Commander Jet Commander, with production rights acquired by IAI in 1968. Over two decades, the series evolved through four distinct variants, each representing a significant advance in systems, powerplant, and aerodynamics.
- 1121 Jet Commander — Certification: November 1964. Original design; production line relocated to Israel in 1969 following IAI's acquisition of rights from Rockwell.
- 1123 Commodore Jet — Certification: December 1971. Stretched fuselage; General Electric CJ610-9 turbojets; thrust reversers; wing-tip tanks; APU added.
- 1124 Westwind I — Certification: March 1976. Re-engined with Garrett TFE731-3 turbofans; updated systems and avionics; significantly improved range and fuel efficiency.
- 1124A Westwind II — Certification: April 1980. Winglets introduced; wing aerodynamic refinements; additional fuel tank; upgraded avionics suite.
Gulfstream G100 Series (1985–2016)
The Astra programme represented a clean-sheet departure from the Westwind, introducing a new low-mounted swept wing and a revised fuselage cross-section. The series was later marketed under the Gulfstream brand following IAI's partnership with Gulfstream Aerospace.
- 1125 Astra — Certification: August 1985. New swept low-mounted wing; modified fuselage; updated systems and avionics. A significant aerodynamic advance over the Westwind.
- 1125 Astra SP — Certification: May 1990. Digital avionics suite introduced; systems refinements.
- G100 (Astra SPX) — Certification: January 1996. Improved AlliedSignal TFE731-40R engines; upgraded avionics; marketed jointly as Gulfstream G100.
- G150 — Certification: November 2005. Fuselage stretched and widened; new nose profile; new avionics; uprated engines. Final evolution of the Astra/G100 line.
Gulfstream G200 (Galaxy) (1997–2011)
G200 (Galaxy) — Certification: December 1998. Entirely new wide-body fuselage offering stand-up cabin; improved Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306A engines; winglets; modified wing platform; upgraded avionics. Marketed as the Gulfstream G200 from 2001. Production concluded in 2011.
Gulfstream G280 (2011 — In Production)
G280 — Certification and Entry into Service: 2011. All-new design: new fuselage, T-tail configuration, new wing, new Honeywell HTF7250G engines, fully integrated avionics. Represents IAI's current production super-midsize business jet, marketed exclusively under the Gulfstream brand.
IAI Arava
A medium-sized STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) twin-turboprop transport aircraft, designed for operations from unprepared airstrips. Produced in both civilian and military utility variants; no longer in production. Widely exported to Central American, African, and Asian operators.
IAI Avocet ProJet
A very light jet (VLJ) programme initiated in the early 2000s. The programme was cancelled in 2005 before reaching certification.
Military Aircraft
377M Anak
Heavy-lift military cargo conversions of ex-Pan American World Airways Boeing 377 Stratocruiser airliners. The conversions were undertaken after the United States declined to approve the sale of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules to the Israeli Air Force. The Anak provided Israel with a strategic heavy-lift capability during a critical period of its air force development.
IAI Nesher
A fighter aircraft developed as a derivative of the French Dassault Mirage 5, produced under licence following France's arms embargo on Israel after the 1967 Six-Day War. The Nesher entered Israeli Air Force service in 1971 and saw combat in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Surplus aircraft were later exported to Argentina as the Dagger.
IAI Kfir
A single-seat, single-engine fighter-bomber developed from the Nesher airframe, re-engined with the General Electric J79 turbojet — the same powerplant used in the F-4 Phantom II. The Kfir introduced canard foreplanes and a revised delta wing, significantly improving manoeuvrability. It entered Israeli Air Force service in 1975 and was exported to Ecuador, Colombia, and Sri Lanka. Several variants were produced, including the Kfir C1, C2, C7, and TC2/TC7 two-seat trainer.
IAI Nammer
An updated and significantly upgraded version of the Kfir, developed for the export market. The Nammer incorporated modern avionics, updated weapons systems, and airframe improvements. It did not enter Israeli Air Force service but was offered internationally.
IAI Lavi
An advanced single-seat, multi-role combat aircraft developed for the Israeli Air Force during the 1980s. The Lavi featured a close-coupled canard-delta configuration, advanced fly-by-wire flight controls, and a modern glass cockpit. The programme was cancelled in 1987 following intense political and financial pressure — primarily from the United States, which objected to funding what it viewed as a direct competitor to the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. Two flying prototypes were completed. The Lavi's technology is widely considered to have influenced subsequent combat aircraft designs internationally.
ELTA ELI-3001 — AISIS
Airborne Integrated SIGINT System (AISIS). An airborne signals intelligence platform developed by IAI's ELTA Systems division.
CAEW — Conformal Airborne Early Warning Aircraft
An airborne early warning and control system based on the Gulfstream G550 airframe, equipped with IAI ELTA's Phalcon active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system integrated conformally into the fuselage — eliminating the need for a rotodome. Operated by the Israeli Air Force and exported to India and other customers.
This article is part of the Online Aviation Library Israeli Aviation series. Primary-source documentation for IAI aircraft types — including original factory manuals, engineering publications, and service documentation — is available in our Israeli Aviation collection.