Israel has confirmed that its F-35I stealth fighters are actively involved in the current conflict in Gaza. The Israeli Air Force announced today that these jets were recently used to intercept and bring down a cruise missile. This marks the first time that an F-35I has been used to successfully take down a target of this kind.
In a post on Twitter, the Israeli Air Force stated that a cruise missile launched from the southeast towards Israeli airspace was detected and successfully intercepted by fighter jets from the Adir formation, which is the Israeli Air Force name for the F-35I. A video accompanying the tweet showed footage from the F-35I’s helmet-mounted display, clearly capturing the moment of launch and the missile hitting its target.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also reported that the F-35I’s intercept was followed by the destruction of a surface-to-surface missile over the Red Sea using the Arrow anti-ballistic missile system. The IDF emphasized the multi-dimensional defense capabilities of the Israeli air defense array in protecting the State of Israel against various threats.
While no specific details have been provided about the exact time, location, or origin of the cruise missile, it is highly likely that it was launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen. The Times of Israel suggests that the missile was fired by the Houthis, as the IDF has intercepted several other targets, including drones, launched from Yemen over the Red Sea in recent days.
The F-35I’s involvement in the Gaza conflict is not surprising, as Israel has previously demonstrated its willingness to deploy these advanced aircraft in combat operations. Israel became the first operator to use the F-35I on offensive operations in 2018 and has since successfully engaged Iranian drones in aerial combat.
Israel’s approach to operating the F-35I involves customizing the aircraft with Israeli-made technology and weapons. The country is currently acquiring 75 F-35I models, which will incorporate an increasing proportion of Israeli technology.
The F-35I’s advanced sensor suite, including an AESA radar and Electro-Optical Targeting System, makes it well-equipped to handle threats like cruise missiles and drones. These capabilities, combined with the F-35I’s ability to detect and engage hard-to-detect targets, make it a valuable asset in the Middle East, where such threats are proliferating.
In terms of costs, each AIM-120C air-to-air missile costs around $1 million, while each AIM-9X missile costs around $475,000. These costs, along with aircraft acquisition and maintenance, training, and operational expenses, must be considered when evaluating the use of advanced fighters like the F-35I.
