The fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jet made its first-ever intercept of a cruise missile

Israel continues to fight against Hamas and repel rocket attacks from Yemen's Houthis. The Defence Forces showed how one of the rockets was shot down by an F-35 Lightning II fighter jet.

Here's What We Know

The video was recorded on 2 November 2023. It shows a fifth-generation fighter jet intercepting a cruise missile that was flying towards Israel. It is probably another projectile launched by Iranian proxies. Earlier, the Houthis showed ballistic missile and drone launches.

The Israeli version of the F-35A is called the F-35I Adir. This configuration features additional Israeli-made avionics, including a homegrown electronic warfare system. As for the intercept, the type of missile fired is not specified. It is possible that the fighter jet used an AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile.

The Israeli Air Force will become the second largest foreign operator of the F-35A Lighting II in the future. This will happen after the delivery of an additional batch of 25 aircraft, which was ordered in the summer of 2023. The cost is estimated at $3bn. Only Japan has more fifth-generation conventional takeoff fighters outside the US.

It is worth noting that the event is historic. Israel's F-35 was the first to be able to intercept a cruise missile.

Source: @IAFsite