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The incident marked a historic milestone for the fifth-generation fighter.
By United with Israel Staff
An Israeli Air Force F-35I “Adir” stealth fighter shot down an Iranian fighter jet over Tehran on Wednesday morning, marking what the IDF said is the first time an F-35 has destroyed a manned enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat anywhere in the world.
According to the Israeli military, the encounter occurred after the advanced stealth jet identified an Iranian Yak-130 fighter that was threatening Israeli freedom of action during ongoing operations.
The IDF said the incident represents a historic milestone for the fifth-generation fighter. It marked the first confirmed air-to-air kill by an operational F-35 since the aircraft entered service with militaries around the world.
Israel operates a unique version of the stealth aircraft known as the F-35I “Adir,” a modified variant of the standard F-35A designed specifically for the Israeli Air Force.
The aircraft incorporates Israeli-developed technologies, including electronic warfare systems and digital architecture that allows integration with Israeli weapons and avionics.
These modifications are intended to enhance survivability and improve the aircraft’s ability to operate alongside Israel’s broader defense systems.
Like all F-35 aircraft, the Adir is equipped with advanced sensors and electronic warfare capabilities that provide pilots with a real-time, 360-degree picture of the battlefield, allowing them to detect and track threats from long range.
Earlier this week, three U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defense systems in a friendly-fire incident. All three pilots ejected safely and suffered no serious injuries.
The historic shootdown highlights the Israeli Air Force’s ability to maintain operational freedom and technological superiority during ongoing operations.
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