Israel has used its F-35s in combat in the Middle East.
Israeli Major-General Amikam Norkin, who commands the Air Force, confirmed this week that Israel has used its F-35s operationally.
“The Adir planes are already operational and flying in operational missions. We are the first in the world to use the F-35 in operational activity”— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) May 22, 2018
He reportedly displayed a photo of an F-35 over Beirut, which would indicate that at least some of the missions the F-35 has been involved in pertained to Syria.
#BREAKING: #IAF head Maj.-Gen. Norkin: “We are flying the #F35 all over the Middle East and have already attacked twice on different fronts.”— Anna Ahronheim (@AAhronheim) May 22, 2018
The F-35s — dubbed F-35I ‘Adir’ in Israeli service — began arriving to the country in December 2016 and four batches have been received so far. Israel declared the first jets operational in December 2017.
Military markets analyst, covering Eurasia, Middle East, and Africa.
