400 Iranian ballistic missile strike on targets in Israel launched on October 1 has targeted Nevatim Air Base, among other key targets in the country.
As many as 20 F-35I Adir stealth jets were destroyed when shrapnel and debris landed at Nevatim Air Base during the interception of missiles and some F-15s may been damaged by debris.
On the eve of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year ), Israel faced a massive missile attack, with over 400 ballistic missiles launched from Iran, setting off sirens across the country. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the missiles were fired from Iran, leading to alerts in central and southern Israel, urging citizens to seek immediate shelter. The global reaction was swift, with the West and pro-Israel nations condemning the attack, while celebrations erupted in Iran.
The facility hosts both of the Israeli Air Force’s F-35 fifth generation fighter squadrons, and was previously intended to host a third squadron of the fighters after they were delivered.
Footage from Israel has confirmed the impact of dozens of ballistic missiles which Israel’s air defence network to shoot down the targets, but shrapnel and debris impacted including the headquarters of the intelligence agency Mossad, located in Tel Aviv which was levelled by the attack.
Labelled “True Promise 2,” the operation follows a year of escalating tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv, and represents a long awaited retaliatory attack after an Israeli strike on Tehran on July 31.
Iran was previously reported to have agreed not to retaliate if Israel deescalated hostilities, with Israel’s invasion and intensive bombardment of Lebanon and assassination of the leadership of the Iranian aligned militia group Hezbollah having been seen to have broken this agreement.
Reports have indicated that the bulk of Nevatim Air Base’s F-35s – over 20 fighters – were damaged in the attack, with the stealth fighters representing one of the most high value targets in Israel.
The facility has been widely referred to as Israel’s “most important air base” due to the importance of the F-35 in the country’s fleet. Israel fields just two squadrons of the costly stealth jets, and relies on them heavily for their sophisticated sensor suite.
F-35s play a central role in Israeli plans for potential attacks on Iran, with their stealth capabilities and advanced avionics, including electronic warfare systems and other air defence suppression features, making them optimal assets for such operations.
Israel has a third squadron’s worth of F-35s on order, significant issues with production, which remains at a fraction of initially planned rates, has resulted in a very long delivery queue, and means Israel will only begin to receive the newly ordered fighters from 2028.
Israeli and Western officials have widely stressed the need for a strong response against Iran, with White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stating: “There will be serious consequences for Iran as a result of this attack and we will work with Israel to make sure that happens.” The Israel Defence Forces announced that its response will be “seen by the entire Middle East,” with Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz stating that the entire “free world” had to support Israel – a reference to expected Western support for future Israeli attacks. The influential U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham meanwhile called on President Joe Biden to authorise attacks on Iranian oil refineries.
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