A new video released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shows the moment an F-35I “Adir” stealth fighter shot down an Iranian Air Force Yak-130 combat training plane in the skies of Tehran.
According to Israeli authorities, the episode would represent the first recorded aerial victory of an F-35 against a piloted aircraft in real combat.
The images were captured by the F-35I’s EOTS (Electro-Optical Targeting System), an advanced set of electro-optical sensors used for detection, tracking and target designation. The video shows the moment in which the Israeli fighter locked onto the target before the impact that would have brought down the Yak-130.
According to the IDF, the downed plane was a Yak-130, a Russian-made model used primarily for advanced pilot training, but which can also be used on light attack missions.
First F-35 aircraft shot down in combat
If confirmed, the episode would represent a milestone in the operational history of the F-35 Lightning II, considered one of the most advanced fighters in the world. Although it has already participated in several military operations since its entry into service, no air-to-air kills against a piloted aircraft had so far been officially recorded.
For the Israeli Air Force, the event would also have its own historical significance. According to military sources, the last Israeli air victory dates back to November 1985, when an F-15 fighter shot down two Syrian MiG-23s during clashes in the Middle East.
Previous videos showed a plane crashing
Before the release of official Israeli material, videos showing the fall of an unidentified plane over Tehran had already circulated on social media. In one of the recordings, two crew members were seen ejecting and descending by parachute, suggesting that the crew may have survived the accident.
The situation, however, remains controversial. Both Iran and Israel claim to have shot down enemy aircraft, and so far no independent confirmation has been released.
Source and images: Israel Defense Forces (IDF), videos released on social media. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
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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