Nevatim air base in southern Israel is to become a major focus for the air force's combat and transport squadrons, with its future fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35s and Lockheed C-130Js to be flown from the site.
The Israeli air force is to receive at least 20 F-35s in the conventional take-off and landing variant, and last year signed orders for its first two new-generation Hercules transports.
The service's decision to increase its future aircraft inventory at Nevatim stems from the base's infrastructure and available training space, and from an Israel Defense Forces plan to move significant resources to the south of the country.
At 3,900m (12,800ft) long, Nevatim has the longest runway in the Middle East.
Source: Flight International
