Israel Defense Forces release new video of moment F-35I shoots down Iranian Yak-130

English Posted on  —by Carro e motos
F-35I. Photo: Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
F-35I. Photo: Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

A new video released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shows the moment a stealth fighter F-35I “Adir” allegedly shot down an Iranian Air Force Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft over the skies of Tehran.

According to Israeli authorities, the episode represents the first recorded air-to-air victory of an F-35 against a manned aircraft in real combat.

The images were captured by the F-35I’s own EOTS (Electro-Optical Targeting System), an advanced set of electro-optical sensors used for detection, tracking, and target designation. The video shows the moment the Israeli fighter locks onto the target before the impact that reportedly brought down the Yak-130.

According to the IDF, the downed aircraft was a Yak-130, a Russian-built model primarily used for advanced pilot training but also capable of being employed in light attack missions.

Photo: Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
Photo: Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

First F-35 air-to-air kill 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 fighter jets in the world. Although it has already participated in several military operations since entering service, there had been no official records of an air-to-air kill against a manned aircraft until now.

For the Israeli Air Force, the event would also carry its own historical significance. According to military sources, the last Israeli air victory occurred in November 1985, when an F-15 fighter shot down two Syrian MiG-23 aircraft during confrontations in the Middle East.

Earlier videos showed aircraft falling

Before the release of the official Israeli footage, videos had already circulated on social media showing an unidentified aircraft falling over Tehran. One of the recordings showed two crew members ejecting and descending by parachute, suggesting that the crew managed to survive the incident.

However, the situation remains surrounded by controversy. Both Iran and Israel claim to have shot down enemy aircraft, and no independent confirmation has been released so far.

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.

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