"Israeli F-35s Overflew Iranian Bases" Topic

Apparently, Israeli F-35s overflew Iranian cities and bases undetected, including some of their most sensitive weapons development sites, and their new air defense complexes.

Iran did not detect their entry into their country, or their exit from it.

"According to the newspaper's investigation, "the IAF F-35 "Adir" planes penetrated Iran's airspace, circled high above Tehran, Karajrak, Isfahan, Shiraz and Bandar Abbas – and photographed Iran's air defense system."

One of the sources reported that Iran's air defense system, including its Russian radar, did not detect the entry and exit of the fighter planes, and that Ismaili hid this information from the supreme leader to cover his service failure. However Iranian intelligence discovered that the Israeli fighter jets had carried out this sortie as a test of the possibility of an undetected attack on Iranian outposts and bases, during which they photographed those sensitive bases, evading the Russian S-300 missile system's radar.

According to Al Jarida, Iranian intelligence received top secret information that the Israeli fighter planes even managed to photograph Iran's underground bases. Khamenei, who received this information, now suspects a cooperation between Russia and Israel, and that the Russians gave Israel the secret code of the Russian radar in Iran – according to the Kuwaiti newspaper".

I suspect the intelligence gathered from these sorties might become very useful if Iran continues to process uranium enrichment at an accelerated pace.

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This might make for an interesting gaming scenario, with each F-35 having a very slim chance of being detected by the Iranians, and if so, then trying to get out of the country, as faster, and more maneuverable Iranian aircraft try to intercede to stop them.

I'd suggest using 1/600th scale minis for a game like this, so you have lots of maneuvering room on the tabletop, and can even scratch-build some industrial complexes to seek out.

I would suggest using 1/300 scale as you would not have to scratch build the industrial complexes or ground based air defenses.

The F-35 critics seem to have vanished on various forums after this story came out a few days ago!

Same story than one year ago and it was already dubious…

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Doesn't seem "dubious" to me at all, since we know they've used the F-35 in combat ops over Syria, AND, the Iranians appear to be admitting that this occurred long after the fact.

Locating Iran's top secret, and hidden nuclear weapons production and storage facilities on a "recon mission" is certainly worth the risk, and would be an excellent use of the craft.

F-35s can also use aerial refueling too, which would help to maintain their stealth, except when hooked up to their tanker(s).

Not sure I buy the story of Russia giving them the code(s) to defeat their radar system(s) though, but perhaps Putin wants to be allied with the winning side, should war between Israel and Iran break out.

if they have observation satellites, why would they risk planes and casus belli?

For a closer, and perhaps better look.

Satellites can't do everything, which is why we use aerial recon jets too.

Whole story smells hokey to me – though good scenario idea.

Definitely don't buy the codes story – as for the F-35's stealth capabilities any air defence equipment is only as good as the people operating it…

i interested in how the iranians found out about this secret mission
i am with repaint on satellites ,the current gen should do it (current gen civilian resolution) military better unless we are talking thruster fuel usage

if they have observation satellites, why would they risk planes and casus belli?

Because satellites are predictable. You know EXACTLY when they're overhead, and can set up accordingly.

Airplanes, not so much.

if an unarmed Russian mig-31 overflew any european capital would it be brought down,NO-.Nobody is willing or wanting to unleash ww3.Get over it guys…it happens and theres no chest thumping from the guys who have their lives on the line.We play with toy soldiers.We might be ex soldiers,we might be alot of things.but we arent the kids who have to risk their lives.An overflight by a supposed stealthy craft does not force somebody into submission-it merely is noted and studied.WW3 can wait for another day,hopefully.