Israel employed 200 fighter aircraft – nearly two-thirds of its entire air force – in a massive overnight airstrike against Iran’s nuclear sites and military targets, the Israel Defense Forces said Friday.
This staggering number of warplanes involved in a single operation marks one of the largest air assaults in Israel’s history.
IDF spokesperson Efi Defrin told CNN the operation struck more than 100 targets with 330 precision-guided munitions, all launched in a “highly precise and synchronized” strike.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, cited by CNN, Israel’s total fighter fleet numbers about 330 jets. This means the operation utilized about 60% of Israel’s entire air force.
The IDF posted a video on its official X account showing preparations for the attack.
The operation relied heavily on Israel’s cutting-edge fighter jets, including the stealthy F-35I Adir, alongside F-16I and F-15I jets. The F-35I Adirs are able to carry a range of precision weapons, including:
- Stunner interceptor missiles, built to shoot down enemy missiles and aircraft;
- Spice-1000 smart bombs with built-in cameras and GPS for hitting fixed targets;
- Python-5 short-range missiles that can engage ememy aircraft behind the shooter;
- Derby radar-guided air-to-air missiles with a range of 100 km;
- MPR-500 bunker-busting bombs capable of penetrating up to 1 meter of reinforced concrete.
The F-35I jets, central to the operation, are known for their stealth and precision strike capabilities, enabling Israel to penetrate deep into Iranian airspace with minimal detection.
High-Profile Casualties and Iranian Response
The strike reportedly killed several top Iranian officials, including Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s chief of general staff, along with nuclear scientists linked to Iran’s atomic program.
Iran vowed a swift and forceful retaliation. General Abolfazl Shekarchi promised on state TV that the Iranian armed forces would respond decisively to the Israeli assault.
On Friday morning, Israel said it detected and prepared to shoot down dozens of drones launched from Iranian territory.
EXPLAINED: What We Know About the Israeli Strikes on Iran So Far