(This not only is a major combat first for the IDF, it is a major combat first for the F-35. First ever downing of a manned aircraft by the F-35.)
UPDATE: Video:
https://x.com/IDF/status/2029487309104554277
Israel’s military said Wednesday that one of its F-35I "Adir" stealth fighter jets shot down an Iranian Air Force Yak-130, marking the first time the advanced aircraft has downed a manned fighter in combat.
"The historic shootdown over the Tehran skies is a testament to the strength of the Israeli Air Force and to your personal determination," said Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, the commander of the Israeli air force.
"The war continues – return home safely. Get some rest," he told the pilots. "The next mission is already waiting for you."
The F-35I is Israel’s customized version of the U.S.-made F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation stealth fighter that anchors the country’s air fleet.
According to the F-35 program’s official website, Israel became the first country to select the aircraft through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales process, signing a letter of agreement in October 2010.
The site says the Israeli air force gave the jet the Hebrew name "Adir," meaning "Mighty One," and received its first F-35 on June 22, 2016.
The Yak-130 is a Russian-made, two-seat combat training aircraft designed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau, according to United Aircraft Corporation, the state-owned Russian aerospace company that manufactures the jet.
It made its maiden flight in 1996 and is currently in active production.
Iran’s air force received its first Yak-130 training aircraft in September 2023, according to Press TV, Iran’s state-run English-language broadcaster.
In November 2023, Brig. Gen. Mahdi Farahi, Iran’s deputy defense minister, told Tasnim, a semi-official Iranian news agency, that plans had been finalized for Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters and Yak-130 trainers to join the country’s armed forces.
Tasnim reported that Iran previously acquired MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia in the 1990s.
Not really much of a challenge for an F 35....aside from a few Mig aircraft Iran hasn't had much of an AF for years.
ReplyDeleteThis was a huge test for the F-35. We haven't ever tested them in a fighter-to-fighter dog fight so it was much more of a big deal than you seem to realize. Of course, you have to take in pilot training and several other factors.
DeleteYou don't deploy a combat aircraft without real world testing.... usually against drones. So we knew it was capable of shooting down aircraft. And an ancient Yak isn't much more capable than a drone.
DeleteReal world testing doesn't include dog-fighting against someone determined to kill you. No matter how you try to belittle the event, this was a first time event worth cheering.
DeleteAnd comparing a remotely operated drone to a piloted YAK-130 just tells me you want to 'win' the discussion no matter what kind of ridiculous comparison you have to make.