Israel\u2019s military said Wednesday that one of its F-35I ‘Adir’ stealth fighter jets shot down an Iranian Air Force Yak-130, marking the first time the advanced aircraft has downed a manned fighter in combat. <\/p>\n
‘The historic shootdown over the Tehran skies is a testament to the strength of the Israeli Air Force and to your personal determination,’ said Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, the commander of the Israeli air force. <\/p>\n
‘The war continues \u2013 return home safely. Get some rest,’ he told the pilots. ‘The next mission is already waiting for you.’<\/p>\n
The F-35I is Israel\u2019s customized version of the U.S.-made F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation stealth fighter that anchors the country\u2019s air fleet.<\/p>\n
According to the F-35 program\u2019s official website, Israel became the first country to select the aircraft through the U.S. government\u2019s Foreign Military Sales process, signing a letter of agreement in October 2010. <\/p>\n
The site says the Israeli air force gave the jet the Hebrew name ‘Adir,’ meaning ‘Mighty One,’ and received its first F-35 on June 22, 2016.<\/p>\n
The Yak-130 is a Russian-made, two-seat combat training aircraft designed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau, according to United Aircraft Corporation, the state-owned Russian aerospace company that manufactures the jet.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It made its maiden flight in 1996 and is currently in active production.<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s air force received its first Yak-130 training aircraft in September 2023, according to Press TV, Iran\u2019s state-run English-language broadcaster.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
In November 2023, Brig. Gen. Mahdi Farahi, Iran\u2019s deputy defense minister, told Tasnim, a semi-official Iranian news agency, that plans had been finalized for Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters and Yak-130 trainers to join the country\u2019s armed forces.<\/p>\n
Tasnim reported that Iran previously acquired MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia in the 1990s.<\/p>\n