DefenseIsraeli F-35I shoots down Iranian Yak-130 over Tehran, IDF says
An Israeli Air Force F-35I “Adir” shot down an Iranian Air Force Yakovlev Yak-130 over Tehran on March 4, according to a statement posted by the Israel Defense Forces on X.
The IDF said the engagement marked the first time an F-35 variant has downed a manned fighter aircraft in combat. The incident occurred amid continued Israeli air operations targeting military infrastructure in and around the Iranian capital.
The F-35I “Adir” is Israel’s customized version of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, incorporating locally integrated command, control, communications and intelligence systems. The aircraft has been central to Israel’s air campaign in Iran.
https://twitter.com/IDF/status/2029115112347304191
The aircraft reportedly shot down was a Yak-130, a Russian-designed subsonic two-seat advanced trainer developed by Yakovlev. While primarily used for pilot training, the Yak-130 is capable of light attack and reconnaissance missions and can carry up to 3,000 kilograms of ordnance, including guided and unguided munitions, external fuel tanks and electronic pods.
The Yak-130 entered service with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force in 2013, with initial aircraft based at the 8th Tactical Air Force Base near Isfahan. In Iranian service, the type is used primarily to train pilots transitioning to legacy combat aircraft such as the F-14 Tomcat, F-4E Phantom II and F-5 Tiger II. Reports in late 2024 indicated that Russia had completed deliveries of 12 Yak-130 aircraft to Iran.
Images circulating online earlier in the week showed Yak-130 aircraft operating over Tehran despite sustained Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian military facilities.
The IDF did not provide further details about the engagement, including the circumstances of the intercept or the weapon used. Iranian authorities have not publicly commented on the reported loss of the aircraft.
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