Historic First: Israeli F-35I Stealth Jet Shoots Down Iranian Warplane Over Tehran
Israel's air force made history by using its F-35I stealth fighter to down an Iranian Yak-130 — the first combat shootdown of its kind.
Israeli F-35I Achieves Historic Combat First Over Iranian Skies
The Israeli military announced Wednesday that one of its F-35I "Adir" stealth fighter jets successfully shot down an Iranian Air Force Yak-130 aircraft, marking an unprecedented milestone in modern aerial warfare. This engagement represents the first time the advanced fifth-generation fighter has destroyed a manned aircraft in live combat.
Israeli Air Force Commander Addresses Pilots
Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, commander of the Israeli Air Force, hailed the event as a defining moment for his country's military capabilities.
"The historic shootdown over the Tehran skies is a testament to the strength of the Israeli Air Force and to your personal determination," Bar stated, addressing the pilots involved in the mission.
He also conveyed a message of both gratitude and urgency: "The war continues — return home safely. Get some rest. The next mission is already waiting for you."
What Is the F-35I Adir?
The F-35I is Israel's specially tailored variant of the American-built F-35 Lightning II, a cutting-edge fifth-generation stealth aircraft that serves as the cornerstone of Israel's air combat fleet.
Israel holds the distinction of being the first nation to acquire the F-35 through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales program, having signed a formal letter of agreement back in October 2010. The Israeli Air Force gave the jet the Hebrew name "Adir," which translates to "Mighty One," and officially received its first F-35 on June 22, 2016.
About the Downed Iranian Yak-130
The aircraft that was shot down — the Yak-130 — is a Russian-manufactured, twin-seat combat training jet developed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau and produced by United Aircraft Corporation, Russia's state-owned aerospace manufacturer.
The Yak-130 completed its maiden flight in 1996 and remains in active production to this day. Iran received its first batch of Yak-130 training aircraft in September 2023, as confirmed by Press TV, Iran's official state-run English-language broadcaster.
Iran's Broader Military Expansion
In November 2023, Brig. Gen. Mahdi Farahi, Iran's deputy defense minister, revealed to Tasnim — a semi-official Iranian news outlet — that agreements had been finalized to incorporate several advanced Russian-made platforms into Iran's armed forces. These included the Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters, and additional Yak-130 trainer aircraft.
This military buildup follows a longer pattern of Russian-Iranian defense cooperation. Iran previously acquired MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia during the 1990s, according to Tasnim reports.
A Turning Point in Modern Air Combat
This shootdown signals a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, demonstrating not only the operational readiness of Israel's stealth fleet but also its willingness to conduct deep-strike missions over Iranian territory. As tensions continue to mount, the engagement underscores the evolving and increasingly high-stakes nature of aerial warfare in the Middle East.
