Israel underscored the continuing relevance of fighter jets as it deployed nearly 200 customized aircraft in a highly coordinated, pre-dawn strike against key Iranian military and nuclear targets. Israeli jets pounded nearly 100 Iranian targets with over 330 munitions.
Israel’s successful strikes on Iranian nuclear targets were carried out by a strike package consisting of F-35I ‘Adir’, F-16l ‘Sufa’, and F-15 ‘Ra’am’ fighters.
The operations underscored the effectiveness of the fifth-generation stealth aircraft, as they are under increasing scrutiny over their capabilities and price tag. The F-35-l Adir flew almost 2,000 kilometers, evading Iran’s air defense system to carry out the precision strikes against Iranian military and nuclear installations.
All the Israeli Air Force fighter jets made it back to their respective bases, and Iran has not claimed to have downed any of the fighter jets.
‘Adir’ is a variant of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II, custom-built for Israel. The customizations include advanced C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) systems integrated by Israeli engineers that allow seamless real-time data sharing with other Israeli assets, such as F-16s and F-15s.
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This integration ensures the effective execution of precision-guided strikes in contested environments, such as the one carried out against Iran.
In the operation targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, the F-35I “Adir” was deployed for its unique combination of stealth, sensor fusion, and precision strike capabilities. Its advanced avionics and integrated electronic warfare systems enable it to penetrate sophisticated air defense networks.
The aircraft can operate significantly beyond its borders without relying on aerial refueling due to modifications such as external fuel tanks.
The F-35I “Adir” flew a round-trip distance of roughly 2,000 kilometers in executing the mission. Parallels are being drawn to earlier operations by Israeli fighter jets, including Operation Opera in 1981, when 14 jets struck the Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq, successfully completing their mission with zero loss of their combat aircraft.
The F-35’s success on the battlefield has come at a time when Elon Musk has led an attack against the American 5th-generation fighter jet for its substantial price tag and persistent faults.
Adir Supported By F-16l “Sufa” & F-15 Ra’am
Operation Rising Lion (Am Kalavi) saw the Israeli Air Force deploy an array of fighter jets, including the F-16l “Sufa” (Storm) – a variant of the American F-16 Fighting Falcon. It has been extensively modified by Israel Aerospace Industries and is tailored for multirole missions combining air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities.
Key modifications in the Sufa include conformal fuel tanks for extended range and a pilot-friendly advanced cockpit featuring the Elbit Dash IV helmet-mounted display and Elop wide-angle HUD.
Its Elbit-developed mission computer and targeting systems enable effortless target acquisition for weapons like Rafael Python missiles and precision-guided bombs. The F-16I features Israel’s cutting-edge data links and radar systems, enabling it to operate seamlessly alongside other aircraft, including the F-35 and F-15.
Its all-weather and low-altitude capabilities have been put to use as the Israeli Air Force has been using it to rain missiles and bunker-busting bombs on terrorists in hiding.
The F-16I is equipped with 11 hardpoints that can carry a variety of weapons, including air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM and the Python 4/5. For ground-attack missions, the aircraft can carry a range of munitions, including guided bombs such as the JDAM and Paveway series, as well as the AGM-65 Maverick missile for precision strikes.
The F-16l has a long history of deployment in both defensive and offensive operations since it entered the IAF’s service in 2004. Its long-range strike capability makes it ideal to hit targets far beyond Israel’s borders.
In 2007, the F-16ls alongside F-15ls conducted a successful strike on a suspected nuclear reactor in Syria. Besides precision targeting, the mission required F-16s to penetrate deeply into enemy airspace. The F-16I’s advanced avionics and radar systems helped it evade Syrian air defenses and execute the mission.
The F-16l formed an important part of the strike package sent by Israel to destroy Iran’s uranium enrichment site.
The F-15I Ra’am (Thunder) is a cornerstone of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), embodying raw power and precision in Israel’s defense arsenal.
A customized variant of Boeing’s F-15E Strike Eagle, the Ra’am is tailored for long-range strike missions, air superiority, and multirole operations, making it a vital asset in Israel’s military.
The Ra’am has proven its mettle in combat, notably in the 2007 Operation Orchard strike on a Syrian nuclear reactor, where F-15Is, alongside F-16Is, penetrated Syrian airspace undetected to deliver precise strikes.
Now, in 2025, the F-15I played a critical role in Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and military sites, showcasing its ability to operate in contested environments alongside fifth-generation fighters.
In a statement Israeli Defense Forces said: “IAF fighter jets, guided by precise intelligence, struck the Iranian regime’s uranium enrichment site in the Natanz area overnight. This is the largest uranium enrichment site in Iran, which has operated for years to achieve nuclear weapons capability and houses the infrastructure required for enriching uranium to military-grade levels.”
The IDF claimed that as part of the strikes, the underground area of the site was damaged. This area features a multi-story enrichment hall, which includes centrifuges, electrical rooms, and additional supporting infrastructure. “In addition, critical infrastructure enabling the site’s continuous operation and the Iranian regime’s ongoing efforts to obtain nuclear weapons were targeted,” the statement added.
200 מטוסי קרב, מעל 330 חימושים שונים:
תיעודים מפעילות חיל-האוויר במבצע "עם כלביא" pic.twitter.com/e9D556OGQh— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) June 13, 2025
Besides F-16l Sufa, a mix of aircraft optimized for various roles, including rapid strike and reconnaissance, to electronic warfare and air superiority, were part of the strike formation.
The F-35I Adir operated in “stealth mode”.
Israeli attacks on Iran are likely to continue for days. As per reports, the IDF had not stopped attacking since the initial wave. The IAF was still carrying out broad attacks, and there were no specific signs of stopping.
The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Commander of the IRGC, and the Commander of Iran’s Emergency Command were killed in the Israeli strikes across Iran. As part of the attacks, dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers were destroyed.
The 2024 Attack Was A Trailer
Earlier in October 2024, Israel had taken out Iran’s most advanced anti-aircraft systems. This left a huge gap in Iran’s air defense network.
The strikes focused on Tehran and Karaj, with the IDF stating that each wave targeted military sites exclusively, mitigating further conflict risks.
An operation of this scope began with initial waves attacking radar and air defense systems, clearing the path for subsequent strikes on military bases. It was preceded by a coordinated strike in Syria neutralizing similar threats, preventing Iran from building situational awareness of Israel’s plans.
Adm. Tony Radakin, the UK’s chief of defense staff, was the first to disclose that Israel used its F-35s to carry out the widespread October 26 strikes against military sites across Iran, including air-defense systems and missile-manufacturing facilities.
Israel was the first to use the F-35 in combat in 2018. It operates just under 40 F-35I jets, a subvariant of the F-35A model, though this fleet is set to expand to 75 in the coming years.
So far, the F-35 has been used against targets with limited or non-existent air defenses. The 5th-generation fighter has largely been deployed against non-state actors. This is the 2nd time, after the 2024 attacks, that Israeli F-35s, along with other jets, operated totally undetected!
