UK Adm. Tony Radakin confirmed that Israel used F-35 fighter jets during the October strikes against Iran, calling it a demonstration of the fifth-generation aircraft’s “power”. The operation marked the first confirmation from a Western government that Israel employed its advanced stealth technology in the retaliatory attack.
Radakin stated that Israel deployed over 100 aircraft, carrying fewer than 100 munitions, and successfully targeted Iran’s air-defense systems, destroying nearly the entirety of its capabilities. This achievement is attributed to the “power” of fifth-generation aircraft combined with precise targeting and exceptional intelligence.
The F-35, a single-engine stealth fighter jet produced by Lockheed Martin, has been widely praised for its modern combat capabilities. Israel was the first nation to use the F-35 in combat in 2018 and currently operates around 40 jets, with plans to expand the fleet to 75 in the coming years.
Radakin’s endorsement comes after Elon Musk criticized the F-35, calling into question its design and stealth capabilities. However, airpower experts have pushed back on some of his remarks, highlighting the aircraft’s significance as a cornerstone of US airpower.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-showed-power-of-f-35s-iran-strikes-uk-admiral-2024-12