Israel just proved that the F-35 fighter is unstoppable

What you need to know: Israel’s recent successful strike on Iranian military targets using F-35I Adir fighters has, despite its critics, highlighted the effectiveness of the fifth-generation stealth aircraft. During the operation, Israeli F-35s flew nearly 1,000 miles without losses and dismantled Iran’s Russian-supplied air defenses, marking a major tactical achievement.

-The success not only underlines the operational value of the F-35, but also raises questions about the effectiveness of Russian air defense systems, which failed to counter the F-35’s stealth.

-This event mirrors previous Israeli attacks that defied long-range challenges, and reaffirmed the capability of US-made stealth against advanced defenses.

The Israeli F-35 strike on Iran proves a stealth advantage over Russian defenses

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II has more than its fair share of detractors, who have repeatedly claimed that the aircraft is too expensive and doesn’t really have a place in the current world order. The fact that so many US allies and partners are lining up to buy the fifth-generation stealth fighter already suggests otherwise.

Few countries would want to join a waiting list for inferior military hardware, but even the F-35’s most ardent critics have to admit that the aircraft “got the job done” in the early hours on Saturday when Israeli-controlled multi-role fighters invaded Iran. The fact that the aircraft flew almost 1,000 miles to hit the targets would be impressive, but the Israeli Air Force (IAF) claimed that all fighters had returned home.

The Islamic Republic also made no claim to downing a single F-35. There was not even an attempt to suggest otherwise.

“It seems to have gone exactly as planned, with no losses on the Israeli side. That in itself is a major achievement,” The Times of Israel said. reported, added“The risks inherent in operations 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) from Israeli airspace are daunting. A minor complication could turn into a life-and-death challenge.”

One could argue that Israel also “held back” in its attack on Saturday, likely following Washington’s “marching orders” not to attack its adversary’s oil facilities or nuclear program. Instead, the IAF carefully attacked military targets, including the Islamic Republic’s air defense systems.

That fact should not be underestimated. By attacking the radar and advanced anti-aircraft platforms, Israel could strike again and Iran has lost much of its ability to counter an attack.

“The regime’s most advanced anti-aircraft systems have been destroyed, and replacing them, if their supplier, Russia, is even willing or able to do so, will not happen immediately. The air defenses, which were ineffective on Saturday, are now even less capable with batteries and radars destroyed,” The Times of Israel further noted.

Lessons from history

Although the official name of this operation has not yet been released, it will likely be studied a lot in the coming years such as Operation Opera in June 1981, when IAF F-16 Fighting Falcons and F-15 Eagles bombed the Osirak reactor in Iraq; and 1985 Operation Wooden Lega daring air raid on the PLO headquarters in Tunis.

These operations proved that distance was not an issue for the IAF, and this recent attack also made it clear that the F-35I Adir – the Israeli-specific variant of the Lightning II – could overcome the threat from Iran’s advanced air defense network.

So the biggest loser might not even be Tehran after Saturday’s raid. It is Moscow that has touted its air defense systems, claiming it can track and attack the US-made F-35 Lightning II and even the F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter. While Russia almost certainly has even more advanced air defense systems than Iran, the fact that the Russian-made systems performed so poorly speaks volumes.

In other words, the scoreboard is not just Israel 1 – Iran 0, it is also American stealth 1 – Russian air defense 0.

Experience and expertise of author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a writer from Michigan. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers and websites with more than 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He writes regularly about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics and international affairs. Peter is also one Contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can send the author an email: (email protected).

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