Operation Rising Lion
The recent Israeli airstrike on Iran, known as Operation Rising Lion, left me stunned when I read that Israeli fighters were refueling over Iranian airspace. The audacity of conducting such an operation in enemy territory speaks volumes about the Israeli Air Force’s dominance. Intrigued, I dove into the differences between the Israeli Air Force and the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, and the contrast is striking, shaped by technology, geopolitics, and operational realities. This narrative explores how Israel’s air power enabled such a bold maneuver, comparing the capabilities of its modern fleet against Iran’s aging aircraft, with a focus on hypothetical combat scenarios.
Operation Rising Lion, executed in June 2025, saw the Israeli Air Force launch 200 aircraft, including F-35I Adir stealth fighters, F-15I Ra’am strike jets, and F-16I Sufa multirole fighters, to strike 100 Iranian nuclear facilities, including Natanz, over a 2,000-kilometer round trip. What made this operation extraordinary was the use of seven KC-707 tankers and four advanced KC-46A Pegasus tankers to refuel fighters over Iranian airspace, a feat requiring unchallenged control of the skies. Supported by Eitam AWACS, a modified Gulfstream G550 for command and control, and sophisticated electronic warfare systems, the Israeli jets evaded Iran’s S-300 air defenses with ease. The operation dropped 330 precision munitions, showcasing Israel’s ability to project power without relying on regional bases.
The Israeli Air Force boasts a formidable fleet of 251 to 340 combat aircraft, optimized for air superiority, precision strikes, and long-range missions. At its core is the F-35I Adir, a fifth-generation stealth fighter with a radar cross-section of just 0.001 square meters, equipped with the AN/APG-81 AESA radar that detects targets 150 miles away and a Distributed Aperture System for 360-degree situational awareness. Armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, plus Israeli Python-5 missiles and JDAM-guided bombs, the F-35I excels in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. Its 1,200-mile combat range, extended by refueling, makes it ideal for deep strikes. The F-15I Ra’am, a strike-optimized variant of the F-15, carries the AN/APG-70 radar with a 120-mile range and up to 18,000 pounds of ordnance, including Stormshadow cruise missiles, reaching speeds of Mach 2.5 with a 2,400-mile range. The F-16I Sufa, with its AN/APG-68(V)9 radar and 50% Israeli-designed systems, adds multirole flexibility, hitting Mach 2.0 with a 1,000-mile range. With a total inventory of 581 to 656 aircraft, including 272 combat units, the Israeli Air Force is a tightly integrated, modern force.
In contrast, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force struggles with a fleet of 183 to 231 aging combat aircraft, crippled by sanctions since 1979. Its backbone includes roughly 41 F-14A Tomcats, a 1970s-era interceptor that Iran uniquely still operates, with an AN/AWG-9 radar that detects targets at 100 miles, but is vulnerable to modern electronic countermeasures. Maintenance and spare parts shortages limit their readiness, and their AIM-54 Phoenix missiles, or Iranian-made AIM-F90B clones, are outranged by modern weapons. The Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer, with approximately 23 aircraft, is designed for low-level bombing and is equipped with the outdated Orion-A radar and AA-8 Aphid missiles, achieving a maximum speed of Mach 1.35 and a range of 1,700 miles. The MiG-29 Fulcrum, numbering 18 to 24, is Iran’s most advanced fighter, with an N019 radar detecting targets at 70 miles and AA-11 Archer missiles, capable of Mach 2.3 and a 1,300-mile range. However, its capabilities pale in comparison to networked adversaries. Iran’s fleet also includes 60 F-4 Phantom IIs, 35 F-5E/F Tiger IIs, 17 Chengdu F-7Ms, and 24 ex-Iraqi Mirage F1s, many of which are barely operational due to maintenance issues, with readiness likely below 50%.
In a hypothetical dogfight, the F-35I Adir would dominate Iran’s F-14A Tomcat. The F-35I’s stealth and advanced radar allow it to detect the Tomcat first, launching AMRAAMs from 100 miles before the F-14’s AIM-F90B can lock on at 90 miles. In close-range combat, the F-35I’s AIM-9X and Python-5 missiles, paired with off-boresight targeting, outmaneuver the Tomcat’s 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon, limited by a 7.5g maneuverability ceiling. The F-15I Ra’am similarly overpowers the F-14, with its AN/APG-70 radar and electronic countermeasures jamming the Tomcat’s systems, while its speed, agility, and helmet-mounted sights ensure a decisive edge in close combat. Against the Su-24 Fencer, the outcome is even more lopsided. The Fencer’s Orion-A radar and Aphid missiles are ineffective in air-to-air combat, and its Mach 1.35 speed and 6g limit cannot compete with the F-35I’s stealth or the F-15I’s Mach 2.5 and 11g capabilities. Having flown F-15s against various third- and fourth-generation fighters, I can vouch for the vast performance gap. Israeli pilots, whom I’ve worked with during exercises at Nellis Air Force Base, are exceptionally skilled, while Iranian pilots, hampered by limited training and outdated maintenance, face steep disadvantages.
The MiG-29 offers Iran’s best chance, with 9g agility and Archer missiles competitive in close-range combat. However, in beyond-visual-range engagements, the F-35I’s stealth and the F-15I’s superior radar allow Israeli jets to strike first with AMRAAMs. The MiG-29’s N019 radar is outclassed, and Israel’s networked data links and helmet-mounted sights ensure superiority even in a dogfight. Iran’s recent acquisition of two Su-35SE jets in November 2024, with 25 more planned, adds a modern fourth-generation fighter with the AN/AL-41F radar, but it still lags behind the F-35I’s fifth-generation capabilities. Israel’s planned addition of 25 F-15EXI and 36 more F-35I jets by 2030 will further widen the gap.
The KC-46A Pegasus tankers, with a 212,000-pound fuel capacity and advanced refueling systems, were pivotal in Operation Rising Lion, extending the F-35I’s and F-15I’s ranges to sustain combat air patrols over Iran. Iran’s F-14s and MiG-29s, limited to 20–30 daily sorties due to maintenance constraints, failed to intercept, as their outdated radars couldn’t counter Israel’s networked sensors and electronic warfare. The operation exposed Iran’s defensive vulnerabilities, with its S-300 systems unable to detect or engage the stealthy F-35I or the heavily escorted F-15I and F-16I formations.
The Israeli Air Force’s technological edge, with its 251 to 340 modern fighters led by the F-35I and F-15I, dwarfs Iran’s 183 to 231 aging aircraft. In combat, Iran’s F-14s, Su-24s, and MiG-29s are outmatched by Israel’s superior radar, stealth, and networked warfare capabilities. The ability to refuel over Iranian airspace during Operation Rising Lion underscores Israel’s unmatched air dominance and Iran’s inability to contest it. This disparity will continue to shape Middle Eastern air power dynamics, with Israel’s advanced fleet and skilled pilots maintaining a decisive advantage for years to come.
