Iran Missile Attack On Israel; The Costly F-35 Fighter Jets Take Center Stage

On October 1, 2024, Iran launched over 100 ballistic missiles targeting Israel, claiming to have successfully struck the headquarters of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency and destroyed 20 F-35 fighter jets at Nevatim air base. The missile assault occurred within 30 minutes, aimed specifically at Israel’s defense systems.

In response, Israel dismissed Iran’s claims, asserting that its Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepted the majority of incoming rockets. The situation has reignited discussions about the F-35 stealth fighter jets, exclusively operated by Israel and manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin.

The F-35 jets are considered some of the highest quality combat aircraft, designed for specialized operations and equipped with advanced network platforms to gather and share vital information in real time. Israel became the first country to deploy F-35s in combat in May 2018, following a deal with the United States for 25 jets, amounting to approximately Rs 251,938,350,000 (about $3.3 billion). Each F-35 is valued at around Rs 684.75 crore, with operating costs reaching approximately Rs 335,891,800 per flight hour, highlighting the expensive nature of maintaining these advanced aircraft in military operations.