The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported today that one of its fighter jets was targeted by an Iranian surface-to-air missile over Iranian airspace. The crew successfully evaded the missile, completing their mission without damage to the aircraft. "The crew followed operational procedures correctly. The aircraft was undamaged, and the mission was completed as planned," the IDF affirmed.

Israeli officials did not disclose the specific type of aircraft or its exact location.

Conversely, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that its air defense forces hit an Israeli fighter aircraft operating in its airspace early this morning. The IRGC did not specify the aircraft's subsequent condition.

An Israeli F-16I fighter jet takes off for a strike on Iran in a photo released on 21/3. *Photo: IDF*

This incident adds to a series of encounters since the conflict erupted. The IDF acknowledged that its fighter jets have repeatedly faced Iranian air defense fire, with one aircraft narrowly missed previously. The Times of Israel also reported that IDF officials confirmed Iran had shot down more than 12, but fewer than 20, Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Israeli Air Force emphasized its readiness to accept losses to prevent enemy ballistic missile attacks, deploying inexpensive UAVs for high-risk missions in Iran.

The disclosure comes two days after a US Air Force F-35A stealth fighter made an emergency landing during a mission in Iran. CNN, citing two sources familiar with the matter, reported the F-35A was hit by suspected Iranian fire. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also released a video showing a missile damaging an aircraft resembling an F-35.

While neither the US nor Israel has lost manned fighter aircraft over Iran, Iranian air defense units have shot down at least 11 US MQ-9 Reaper armed UAVs and an unspecified number of Hermes 900 aircraft, one of the most advanced UAVs in Israeli service.

Thomas Newdick and Howard Altman, editors for the US military news site War Zone, highlighted that Iranian air defense systems remain a significant threat due to their ability to be easily camouflaged. They stated, "Despite suppression efforts by the US and Israel, Iran still possesses mobile air defense systems, and these systems can appear anywhere, leaving pilots very little time to react."

By Vu Hoang (According to Times of Israel, AFP, Reuters)