Israel F-35I shoots down Iranian aircraft over Tehran in historic first
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The Israel Defense Forces on Thursday released video showing the moment an Israeli F-35I “Adir” stealth fighter jet shot down an Iranian Air Force Yak-130 over Tehran; This marks the first time the advanced aircraft has shot down a manned fighter jet in combat.
The pilot is heard saying, “Done. Target down. Target down.” in shooting It’s set to the “Star Wars” theme music.
The attack in the Iranian capital was an important milestone for the F-35 fleet, the Israeli military said on Wednesday.
Israeli Air Force Commander, Major General Tomer Bar, praised the pilots who carried out the mission within the scope of Operation Roaring Lion.
An Israeli Air Force F-35I “Adir” shot down an Iranian Yak-130 fighter jet in a historic air strike. (@IDF/X)
“The historic attack in the skies of Tehran is a testament to the strength of the Israeli Air Force and your personal determination,” Bar said. “The war continues; return home safely. Get some rest. The next mission is already waiting for you.”
The F-35I is Israel’s customized version of the US-built F-35 Lightning II, the fifth-generation stealth fighter jet anchoring the country’s air fleet.
Israel became the first country to select the aircraft through the US government’s Foreign Military Sales process in 2010 and took delivery of its first jet in June 2016.
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An Iranian Yak-130 was shot down in mid-air by an Israeli F-35I “Adir” during a high-risk conflict. (@IDF/X)
The Israeli Air Force named the aircraft “Adir”, which means “Strong” in Hebrew.
The Yak-130 is a Russian-made, two-seat combat training aircraft designed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau and produced by the United Aircraft Corporation.
It first flew in 1996 and remains in active production.
Iran received its first Yak-130 aircraft in September 2023 as part of a broader effort to modernize its air force, according to Iran’s English-language state broadcaster Press TV.
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A Russian-built Yak-130 subsonic two-seat advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft maneuvers during a flight demonstration on day three of the Farnborough International Airshow in Hampshire, England, on July 11, 2012. (Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)
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In November 2023, Brig. Iran’s deputy defense minister, General Mehdi Farahi, told the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim that plans have been finalized for Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters and additional Yak-130 trainers to join the country’s armed forces.
Iran had previously purchased MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia in the 1990s.
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