Israel just showed that the F-35 can fight. So what’s next?

F-35I - ZiVSO YouTube

By: Valerie Insinna  

LONGYEARBYEN, Norway — Israel’s first-ever use of the F-35 during airstrikes over the Middle East may help the jet fight off persistent criticisms that it’s a boondoggle that can’t hack it in combat.

But don’t expect immediate changes to manufacturer Lockheed Martin’s bottom line or for other F-35 users to rush the plane into warzones, experts told Defense News.

Israel Air Force head Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin announced on Tuesday during an IAF conference that the aircraft had already participated in two airstrikes over the Middle East, making Israel the first country to operate an F-35 in combat.

“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,” he said, according to a tweet by the Israel Defense Forces’ official Twitter account. Adir is the IAF’s designation for its F-35s and means “Mighty One.”

Norkin also showed a photo of the aircraft flying over Beirut, Lebanon, reported the news outlet Haaretz.........Continue reading: HERE

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