Key Points and Summary on F-35I Adir – Israel’s customized F-35I “Adir” stealth fighter proved its “game-changing” capabilities during recent strikes against Iran’s air defenses and nuclear-related sites.
-The aircraft’s advanced sensors and electronic warfare suite allowed it to operate with impunity deep inside Iranian airspace, effectively dismantling the “Ring of Fire” and validating its role as a premier fifth-generation strike platform.
-Despite Iranian claims to the contrary, the F-35I’s performance in “Operation Rising Lion” demonstrated its superiority and served as a powerful testament to the effectiveness of the F-35 program in a high-threat environment.
The F-35I Adir Proves Itself In Israel’s Airstrikes In Iran
The Israeli Air Force’s (IAF’s) F-35I “Adir” played a crucial role in recent air operations against Iran, demonstrating its stealth, electronic warfare capabilities, and precision-strike prowess.
The Adir’s ability during Operation Rising Lion to penetrate Iranian airspace undetected, neutralize air defenses, and strike high-value targets with precision was key during these operations.
The effectiveness of Israel’s customized F-35 stealth fighter was first notably demonstrated by an earlier strike in Iran that followed Iranian missile attacks last October.
Despite misinformation about its capabilities, the F-35I’s ability to bypass radar, strike strategic targets, and safely return highlights its effectiveness.
Israel plans further procurement, underscoring the country’s confidence in the aircraft’s ability to fulfill a pivotal role in regional security and deterrence.
Meet The Israeli Variant, the F-35I Adir
The Adir (“Mighty One”) is an Israeli variant of the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II, the U.S.-manufactured single-seat, single-engine, supersonic stealth strike fighter built by Lockheed Martin.
The F-35 is a multi-role combat aircraft designed for air superiority and strike missions. It also has electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
The aircraft has three main variants: the conventional takeoff and landing F-35A; the short takeoff and vertical landing F-35B; and the carrier-based variant, the catapult-assisted takeoff but arrested recovery F-35C.
The F-35I is an Israeli variant of the F-35A. While it retains the core stealth and sensor-fusion capabilities of the base model, it has been heavily modified to suit Israel’s specific operational needs.
These changes include the installation of Israeli-developed electronic warfare systems that enhance the aircraft’s ability to jam and evade enemy radar.
The avionics architecture has been adapted to accommodate the integration of Israeli weapons and software, providing the IAF with greater flexibility in mission planning and execution.
Additionally, the F-35I features advanced command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) systems developed by Israeli defense firms, enabling seamless coordination with other platforms and ground forces.
The F-35 Is All It Was Designed To Be:
During the earlier strikes on Iran in October, Admiral Tony Radakin, the United Kingdom’s chief of defense staff, said, “Israel used more than 100 aircraft, carrying fewer than 100 munitions, and with no aircraft getting within 100 miles of the target in the first wave, and that took down nearly the entirety of Iran’s air-defense system.
“It has destroyed Iran’s ability to produce ballistic missiles for a year and left Tehran with a strategic dilemma in how it responds. That is the power of fifth-generation aircraft, combined with exquisite targeting and extraordinary intelligence,” Radakin added. “And that was all delivered from a single sortie.”
However, a contradictory report from Bulgarianmilitary.com claimed that Iran was able to successfully “jam” and “target” IDF F-35s. That report was completely incorrect.
F-35 critics suggested that Israel’s response was limited in considerable measure to avoid further escalation, as the Bulgarian report claimed Russian-built S-300s in Iran were able to target Israel’s F-35Is.
“The S-300 can ‘lock on’ targets such as the F-35, using radar and missile complexes to cover large swaths of airspace,” the Bulgarian report claimed. Yet not one Israeli F-35 was shot down during the operation, or during the airstrikes in June.
During Operation Rising Lion, the F-35I’s stealth capabilities were put to the test against Iran’s rebuilt layered air-defense network, which includes Russian-made S-300 systems and Iran’s domestically produced Bavar-373.
Iran claimed that it shot down several F-35s, but its “proof” consisted of poorly photoshopped images. Israeli Adirs wiped out the Iranian air defenses again and were flying over Tehran during daylight hours, which shows just how complete Israel’s air dominance of Iran was.
While no one will confuse Iran’s air defenses with China’s or Russia’s, it was still a modern system. The F-35I’s success will give U.S. enemies pause, primarily since there are more than 1,200 F-35s in the hands of the U.S. and its allies.
The F-35I Adir’s performance during the airstrikes against Iran is proof that the F-35’s critics should take a step back and reconsider – the aircraft has performed exactly as it was designed to do.
Iran continues to push the narrative that it “won” the war against Israel. No one but hardcore haters of the Jewish nation believes that. And the Israeli variant, the F-35I, was a big reason for Israel’s victory. “The Mighty One” is an apt name.
About the Author
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications
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