A new video released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shows the moment an F-35I ‘Adir’ stealth fighter jet allegedly shot down a Yak-130 combat trainer from the Iranian Air Force over the skies of Tehran.
According to Israeli authorities, the incident marks the first recorded aerial victory for an F-35 against a manned aircraft in a real combat situation.
The footage was captured by the F-35I’s own EOTS (Electro-Optical Targeting System), an advanced electro-optical sensor system for detecting, tracking and marking targets. The video shows the moment the Israeli fighter engages the target before the impact, which is said to have shot down the Yak-130.
According to the IDF, the downed aircraft was a Yak-130, a Russian-made type used mainly for advanced pilot training but also capable of light attack missions.
The first aerial shot down of the F-35 in combat
If confirmed, the incident would mark a milestone in the operational history of the F-35 Lightning II, considered one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets. Although the aircraft has participated in many military operations since its introduction, there has been no official record of an aerial victory against a manned aircraft.
For the Israeli Air Force, the event would have its own historical significance. According to military sources, the last Israeli aerial victory was in November 1985, when an F-15 fighter jet shot down two Syrian MiG-23s during clashes in the Middle East.
Previous videos showed a plane crash
Before the official Israeli footage was released, videos showing the crash of an unidentified plane over Tehran were circulating on social media. One footage showed two crew members ejecting and parachuting down, suggesting the crew may have survived the incident.
However, the situation remains controversial. Iran and Israel both claim to have shot down enemy planes, and so far there has been no independent confirmation.
Source and images: Israel Defense Forces (IDF), videos posted on social media. This content is generated with the help of artificial intelligence and verified by the editors.
Israeli Defense Force releases new video of the moment an F-35I shoots down an Iranian Yak-130Video: Israeli Defense Force (IDF)#f35i #yak130 pic.twitter.com/L44qaYfRC8
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