Pentagon tightens its purse as F-35 fighter jet takes fire on several fronts in Israel-Iran conflict

Time of India

6 hours ago

Iran's state-affiliated
Nour News
on Monday reported that its air defence forces had brought down another Israeli F-35 stealth jet, the third such claim since fighting began last week. According to the
Tehran Times
, the jet was downed near Tabriz in western
Iran
, and the pilot was captured after ejecting.
A statement attributed to Iran's Army, known as Artesh, read: 'Of the two others, one pilot is believed liquidated, and another too captured by Iranian forces.'
Iranian state broadcaster
Press TV
declared, 'Iran has earned the distinction of being the first country in the world to successfully shoot down fifth-generation fighter jets by targeting two stealth F-35 fighters belonging to the Zionist regime.'
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ET has not been independently able to verify this news.
The
Israeli Defence Forces
(IDF) dismissed the story outright. Col. Avichay Adraee, its Arabic-language spokesperson, said: 'Fake Iranian media. This news being spread by Iranian media is completely baseless.'
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While no evidence has been provided by Iranian authorities, images said to show the downed aircraft have begun circulating online, though their authenticity remains unclear.
Nevertheless, regardless of what has been proven so far, the rumors were enough to push
Pentagon
to make some budgetary cuts to
Lockheed Martin
's F-35 program.
Israel-Iran War: Fighting intensifies as Nuclear talks collapse
The airspace clash comes as Israeli strikes continue to pound Iranian cities. On Saturday, Iran launched another wave of missiles into Israeli territory, injuring civilians in the Haifa region. In turn, Israel said it had hit Tehran directly, targeting military installations and key nuclear sites.
'Every site, every target of the ayatollah regime will be hit,' said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He added that the strikes had delivered a 'real blow' to Iran's nuclear programme and claimed support from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned, 'The continuation of the Zionist aggression will be met with a more severe and powerful response from the Iranian armed forces.'
The fallout has already disrupted diplomacy. A new round of nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran, scheduled for Sunday, was cancelled. Tehran blamed Israel's attacks and Washington's support. 'We cannot negotiate while under military assault,' said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
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Israel-Iran: High-profile losses on both sides
The cost in human life has been mounting. Iran's UN ambassador reported that 78 people were killed and over 300 wounded in Israel's first wave of strikes. Among the dead were senior Iranian commanders, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) head Hossein Salami and top general Mohammad Bagheri.
Meanwhile, Iran says it has killed at least three Israelis and injured 76 more with its retaliatory drone and missile attacks. Tel Aviv's Ramat Gan district was hit hard, with eyewitnesses describing chaos and destruction.
'We just heard a very big explosion, everything was shaking, smoke, dust, everything was all over the place,' said Chen Gabizon, a resident who fled to a shelter.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards say they struck dozens of targets across Israel, including military facilities and high-rise buildings. The Israeli army said it had destroyed underground missile sites in Iran's Khorramabad and an oil refinery in Kangan.
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Lockheed Martin's F-35 programme faces budget blow
As Iran claims success in downing America's most advanced fighter jet,
Lockheed
Martin faces a different kind of hit: the Pentagon is ordering fewer F-35s.
According to Bloomberg, the U.S. Department of Defense has cut its request to Congress for the Air Force's F-35A fighter jets by 50%, dropping the number from 48 to just 24 for the 2026 fiscal year. The total ask is now $3.5 billion for the aircraft and $531 million for supplies.
This reduction, if approved, would mark a significant shift for the world's largest operator of the F-35. It also adds pressure to a programme already under scrutiny. The fighter's maintenance issues and high costs have triggered questions over its long-term viability.
As of now, Lockheed Martin has not yet acknowledged the information.
Problems pile up for the F-35
The F-35's mission-capable rate in 2025 dropped to just 51.5%, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. That's well below the Air Force's 75% target. The main reasons? Parts shortages and complex maintenance routines.
Elon Musk has publicly criticised the aircraft, calling it 'expensive and complex' and warning that it's becoming 'obsolete' in a world of drone warfare.
Lockheed had hoped to rebound with its upgraded 'fifth-generation plus' variant. It even secured a December 2024 deal worth $11.8 billion for Lot 18, which included 48 F-35As for the U.S. Air Force.
Now, the delay of Lot 19—and competition from Boeing's sixth-generation F-47—suggests that even Lockheed's dominance in stealth aviation is being tested.
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Washington eyes other assets
The Pentagon's budget plans for 2026 reflect a broader shift. A total of $205 billion has been proposed for procurement, with $24.8 billion earmarked for aircraft alone. But nearly a quarter of that spending hinges on whether President Trump's reconciliation bill passes Congress.
Among the proposed allocations:
$4.7 billion for Northrop Grumman's B-21 Raider
$2.5 billion for 21 F-15EX jets
$2.8 billion for 15 Boeing KC-46A tankers
$387.1 million for the hypersonic Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW)
Two versions of the budget have been submitted—one with reconciliation funds, one without—signalling deep uncertainty. Congress may still push to restore the F-35 orders. But for now, Lockheed's grip appears weaker.
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F-35B: Stealth fighter that lands like a helicopter
The F-35 Lightning II is one of the most widely deployed fighter jets of its generation. Built as a multirole stealth aircraft, it is designed for air superiority, deep strike, electronic warfare, and surveillance.
There are three core variants. The F-35A is designed for conventional takeoff and landing. The F-35B is made for short takeoffs and vertical landings. The F-35C is used from aircraft carriers with catapult systems.
The jet recently involved in an emergency landing in India was an F-35B. This version is specifically built for operations from platforms like HMS Prince of Wales, which do not have assisted launch systems. It can take off from short decks and land vertically—much like a helicopter. This makes it suitable for forward bases and maritime missions.
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What makes the F-35 different
The F-35's edge lies in its stealth design, sensor fusion, and ability to act as an airborne communication hub. Its systems allow pilots to track and engage targets before they are even seen visually.
One of its signature features is a helmet-mounted display. This allows the pilot to 'see through' the aircraft using live feeds from the jet's sensors. Pilots can lock targets simply by turning their heads.
The jet also uses real-time data links to coordinate with other aircraft, ground stations, and naval assets. This turns the F-35 into a flying node in a much larger networked force.
Another key asset is its ability to deploy long-range air-to-air weapons like the MBDA Meteor. These missiles are capable of hitting targets far beyond visual range. Combined with the aircraft's radar and infrared sensors, it gives the pilot a complete picture of the battlespace.
Beyond the battlefield, world leaders are warning of a wider fallout. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged regional powers to prevent a 'devastating war', following a call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Iran has warned Britain, France and the U.S. not to intervene militarily on Israel's behalf. The message from Tehran is simple: any interference will be met with force.
As more nations begin grounding flights and sealing airspace, the sense of escalation is growing.
What began as covert strikes and proxy tension has now turned into direct confrontation. The skies over Iran and Israel are thick with drones, missiles—and claims that even the world's most advanced jet is no longer untouchable.
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Has the stealthy F-35 met its match? Iran claims capture of Israeli pilots amid reports of third jet shoot-down