TEL AVIV — Israel has revealed that aging F-16 Barak fighter jets managed to strike targets deep inside Iran during Operation Rising Lion without the need for midair refueling — a maneuver military officials say was central to the mission’s success.
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Israeli Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar disclosed the details during a ceremony at Ramat David Airbase on Wednesday, praising the Barak Squadron for flying aircraft that are between 30 and 40 years old across distances of up to 2,200 kilometers. The F-16s, originally designed for operations in closer arenas such as Gaza and Lebanon, were thought unsuitable for such long-range missions.
“We can’t describe Operation Rising Lion as it was executed without your significant contribution,” Bar said, addressing the squadron. “You were the X-factor, the decisive variable.”
According to Bar, commanders at the base pushed back against the assumption that the jets were too limited for the mission’s third wave of attacks. After running their own calculations, they demonstrated the aircraft could fly from Israel to Iranian targets and back at a high pace without pausing to refuel.
“You sat, you thought, you calculated, and you called me for a visit, which proved the opposite,” Bar said. “It was possible with the maturity, professionalism, and experience of the airmen here.”
Defense analysts say the revelation highlights Israel’s ability to adapt older platforms for critical missions, maintaining operational flexibility despite the challenges of distance and technology. The disclosure also comes as Iran continues to expand its own drone and missile programs, underscoring the ongoing strategic competition between the two countries.
While officials stopped short of specifying the precise targets or damage inflicted during Operation Rising Lion, Bar emphasized that the performance of the F-16s exceeded expectations and played a key role in the outcome.
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