When facing trouble from Houthi rebels — who have grown increasingly dangerous by carrying out acts of piracy and attacks on vital shipping routes — Israel turned to a powerful tool for retaliation: the F-35 Lightning II. This fifth-generation fighter jet, designed for stealth and advanced warfare, was essential in a mission to neutralize Houthi threats deep within Yemen, over 1,000 kilometers from Israeli territory.
The F-35 is a marvel of modern engineering, featuring a radar cross-section about the size of a metal golf ball, making it difficult for enemies to detect. Even if it is detected, it’s highly challenging to lock on to, as its stealth capabilities and advanced electronic warfare systems allow it to evade enemy radar and missile guidance. Its AN/APG-81 radar system, one of the most sophisticated in the world, provides exceptional situational awareness and can detect targets from great distances. Additionally, the F-35 is equipped with infrared cameras and an electro-optical targeting system that allows for 360-degree coverage, making it nearly impossible for enemies to hide.
In terms of firepower, the F-35 is more than capable of delivering devastating blows. It can carry up to 8.1 tons of ordnance, including JDAM bombs, AGM-154 glide bombs, and even cruise missiles. This makes it the perfect choice for striking high-value targets, even in heavily defended areas like those controlled by the Houthis.
In July 2024, Israeli forces used the F-35 to conduct Operation Longarm, an air raid targeting key Houthi positions in Yemen. This marked the first time Israel had conducted strikes on Yemeni territory. The mission, involving 25 Israeli aircraft, including F-35s and F-15s, targeted oil refineries, fuel depots, power stations, and Yemeni air force assets in the port city of Al Hudaydah. The strikes caused significant damage, killing three and injuring dozens, and disrupted a key supply route for weapons that the Houthis receive from Iran.
The Houthis had been a growing menace in the region, not only attacking commercial shipping but also threatening to cut undersea internet cables and even engaging in piracy. In November 2023, they hijacked a Bahamian-flagged ship in a sophisticated operation, further escalating tensions. The Houthis’ strategic location along the Red Sea, a crucial trade route, gave them a geopolitical advantage, but Israel’s retaliation sent a clear message that these provocations would not go unanswered.
The Houthis are not a simple militant group; they are well-armed by Iran, possess radar and surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, and have even downed U.S. drones. However, the Israeli F-35s easily penetrated their defenses during Operation Longarm, showcasing the aircraft’s stealth and precision capabilities. The mission served as both a retaliation for past attacks and a warning to Iran and its proxies that Israel’s “long arm” could reach anywhere it needed to.
While the strike did considerable damage to the Houthi infrastructure, it was also a psychological blow, with fires burning for days, visible from miles away. The Houthis vowed retaliation, but Israel’s show of force demonstrated its superior capability to protect its interests and disrupt enemy operations in the region.
