In an unprecedented event in the operational history of the F-35I “Adir,” the Israeli Air Force (IAF) confirmed a few hours ago that one of its fifth-generation stealth fighters shot down a Yak-130 advanced trainer and light attack aircraft belonging to the Iranian Air Force, which had been transferred by Russia months earlier. Pending further details, the incident constitutes the first recorded air-to-air kill of a manned aircraft by an Israeli F-35 within the framework of the air campaign that the Armed Forces of the United States and Israel are conducting against targets in Iranian territory.
The information was released by the Israeli Air Force itself through its official channels, stating that the fifth-generation fighter successfully intercepted and downed the Iranian aircraft during operations linked to the current regional scenario and following strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against military targets in Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury. So far, no additional details have been disclosed regarding the exact location of the engagement or the tactical circumstances that led to the shootdown.
The incident occurs amid a context of significant military escalation between Israel and Iran, marked by air operations, missile strikes, and the deployment of numerous military assets across the Middle East in recent days. In this scenario, the air forces of several countries have intensified their operational activity, as well as their patrol and air defense missions.
The aforementioned Yak-130, developed by the Russian company Yakovlev, is an advanced trainer aircraft that can also be employed in light attack and close air support missions. The Iranian Air Force recently incorporated this model to strengthen the training of its combat pilots and complement its aircraft fleet, as part of a broader procurement process of new combat platforms from Russia, which would also include Sukhoi Su-35S fighters.
For its part, the F-35I “Adir” is the primary fifth-generation stealth fighter operated by the Israeli Air Force. To date, the force has received a total of 48 aircraft out of an initial order of 50 units, supplied by the U.S. company Lockheed Martin. It is important to note that the incident marks a new operational milestone not only for the F-35 program but also for the IAF, as it represents the first time this fifth-generation aircraft has successfully shot down an enemy manned aircraft.
*Developing story.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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