In a groundbreaking combat maneuver, an Israeli stealth fighter successfully intercepted and downed an Iranian jet on Wednesday, marking a historic first. The dramatic event was captured on video and subsequently released by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday.
The footage showcases an Israeli F-35 fighter jet locking onto its target, a Russian-made Iranian Yak-130, as it flew over Tehran. Viewers can witness a striking beam of light cutting across the screen, signaling the enemy aircraft’s destruction.
The video includes audio of Israeli forces confirming the successful strike with the words, “Target down. The target is down. Continue for strike,” set against the iconic “Star Wars” theme music.
This encounter represents a milestone as it is the first time an F-35 ‘Adir’ fighter jet, known as the “Mighty One” in Hebrew, has shot down a manned fighter aircraft in combat, according to the IDF.
Remarkably, the F-35 emerged from the high-stakes operation without any damage.
The F-35 was unscathed following the daring strike.
Tomer Bar, the Israeli air force commander, said the shootdown was a “testament to the strength of the Israeli Air Force and to your personal determination.”
“The war continues – return home safely. Get some rest,” he told the pilots.
“The next mission is already waiting for you.”
The last time an Israeli fighter jet shot down another aircraft in manned air-to-air combat was more than 40 years ago, when an IAF F-15 downed two Syrian MiG-23 fighters on Nov. 24, 1985, during the “War of the Camps” in Lebanon, the Times of Israel reported.
IDF officials are reportedly gearing up for up to two more weeks of operations against the Islamic Republic, according to the outlet.
Military officials claim that more than 5,000 bombs have already been dropped as Col. Aleph, the commander of the Ramat David Airbase, claimed “thousands” of Iranian personnel have been killed in just two days.
The IDF has pummeled the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a Basij paramilitary unit, and Tehran’s cyber unit.
During the operation, which involved deploying over 100 fighter planes and dropping more than 250 bombs, Israel also hit a “protest suppression” facility.
“The headquarters were struck while personnel of the Iranian terror regime responsible for managing the campaign, advancing terror plans against the State of Israel and countries in the region, and suppressing Iranian civilians were operating from them,” Israeli officials say.
Israeli strikes also knocked out enemy air defense systems at Tehran’s Mehrabad airport.
Meanwhile, British Royal Air Force F-35 stealth fighters shot down a hostile drone over Jordan. It was the first time an RAF F-35 shot down a target during operations, according to the UK’s Ministry of Defence.
The F-35B stealth fighter was supported by RAF Typhoon jets and a Voyager air-to-air refueling aircraft as part of its mission.
