An Israeli F-35I Adir shot down an Iranian Yak-130 over Tehran on March 4, recording the Lockheed Martin stealth fighter’s first confirmed air-to-air kill of a manned aircraft in combat — as a wider Israeli and U.S. air campaign over Iran enters its fifth day.
An Israeli F-35I Adir stealth fighter destroyed an Iranian military aircraft over Tehran on March 4, the Israel Defense Forces announced, recording the first air-to-air kill of a manned aircraft in the operational history of the Lockheed Martin-built jet.
The IDF identified the downed aircraft as a Yakovlev Yak-130 — a twin-engined, Russian-built jet that the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force employs as an advanced trainer. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, Iran had two Yak-130s in service before the current conflict involving Israeli and U.S. combat assets began, though the exact composition of Tehran’s fleet remains uncertain.
Israel flies the F-35 in a nationally customized configuration known as the I-model Adir variant, which incorporates multiple upgrades developed by the country’s own defense industry. Cirium data shows Israel currently has 48 of the aircraft in service, all in conventional take-off and landing configuration.
The IDF did not disclose further details about the engagement, including the type of weapon used to bring down the Yak-130.
The intercept came as Operation Epic Fury (U.S.) / Operation Roaring Lion (Israel) — the joint Israeli and U.S. air campaign that launched Feb. 28 — continued into its fifth day of operations. Iran’s air force has shown limited activity since the operation began. On March 2, Qatar reported that its air force had shot down two Sukhoi Su-24 ground-attack jets that were approaching Doha’s territory.
Key Takeaways
- An Israeli F-35I Adir destroyed an Iranian Yakovlev Yak-130 over Tehran on March 4, marking the first air-to-air kill of a manned aircraft recorded by Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth fighter.
- Iran had two Yak-130 advanced trainers in service before the conflict started, according to Cirium data; Iran’s fleet composition remains uncertain.
- Israel operates 48 F-35I Adir variants — a nationally customized model featuring upgrades from its own defense industry.
- Qatar’s air force shot down two Iranian Sukhoi Su-24 ground-attack jets approaching Doha on March 2.
- The IDF provided no details on the weapon used in the engagement.
