Key Points – Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion,” the massive air assault on Iran on June 12-13, showcased the vast technological superiority of the Israeli Air Force (IAF).
-The multi-wave strike, involving over 200 aircraft, was led by Israel’s three core fighter jets: the F-35I “Adir,” the F-15I “Ra’am,” and the F-16I “Sufa.”
-The F-35I Adir, a stealth fighter with unique Israeli modifications and reportedly upgraded range, likely penetrated Iran’s air defenses to neutralize key threats.
-This cleared the way for the heavily armed F-15I and F-16I strike fighters to hit over 100 targets with precision munitions like JDAMs and SPICE bombs.
Israel’s Air Force Is Generations Ahead Of Iran’s
Israel took near-total control of Iranian airspace during Operation Rising Lion on June 12-13, 2025, launching a coordinated pre-dawn strike that overwhelmed Iran’s defenses and delivered crushing blows to its nuclear and military infrastructure.
While Iran’s aging fleet of military aircraft and inadequate air defense systems contributed to Israel’s success, it was a combination of Israeli technological supremacy and its years of planning that ultimately allowed the operation to cause so much damage.
More than 200 Israeli aircraft, including F-35 “Adir” stealth fighters, F-15I “Ra’am,” and F-16I Sufa jets, executed tightly coordinated strikes, dropping more than 330 munitions on approximately 100 Iranian targets. Key sites in Tehran, Natanz, and Tabriz were hit, including suspected enrichment facilities and missile infrastructure.
Israeli jets carried Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), a form of munition that utilizes a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions. Jets also utilized air-droppable unguided bombs equipped with “SPICE” (Smart, Precise Impact, Cost-effective), and Israeli technology that identifies targets based on preprogrammed images of targets.
Israel’s Greatest Air Assets
Three core fighter jets formed the backbone of Israel’s multi-wave assault on Iran: the F-35I Adir, F-15I Ra’am, and F-16I Sufa. Each played a distinct role, and all were equipped with advanced Israeli and American systems tailored for long-range, precision strikes.
At the center of the assault was the F-35 Adir, a stealth fighter based on the American F-35 platform but modified specifically to meet Israeli requirements. The fifth-generation jets operated in stealth mode, evading radar detection and launching standoff munitions from deep inside Iranian airspace. Ahead of the strike, U.S. and Israeli engineers reportedly upgraded the Adir’s fuel systems, expanding its range to eliminate the need for in-flight fuelling, and allowing the jets to hit targets more than a thousand miles away without compromising stealth.
The F-16 Sufa, or “Storm,” accompanied Israel’s heavier fighters in strikes across Iran. A variant of the F-16D Block 50/52, the Sufa was designed for air-to-air combat and precision ground strikes. Israel’s version has been heavily modified with its own avionics and weapons systems, as well as fuel tanks that increase both its range and payload.
The F-15I Ra’am, or “Thunder,” gave Israeli forces a good combination of firepower and range. Based on the American F-15E Strike Eagle, the Ra’am has long been used by Israel for long-range strikes since it was introduced in 1998. Capable of carrying a wide variety of bombs and missiles, the Ra’am offers a combination of speed, payload, and endurance that is unmatched by most regional rivals – not just Iran. The F-15I played a crucial role in reaching deep targets during the operation.
Notably, these aircraft are all modern by global standards – and especially when compared to Iran’s decaying air force, which still relies on U.S.-built jets from the 1960s and ‘70s, as well as outdated Soviet and Chinese models.
About the Author:
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society. His latest book is The Truth Teller: RFK Jr. and the Case for a Post-Partisan Presidency.
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