British pilot shoots down target on F-35 for the first time in combat conditions

A British F-35 Lightning II fighter pilot, flying from Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus, has shot down targets in real combat on this aircraft for the first time in the history of the Royal Air Force.

According to media reports, while patrolling over Jordan, the pilot detected two Shahed-type drones and destroyed them with ASRAAM missiles. The operation took place as part of a group with two Eurofighter Typhoon fighters.

The military official noted that the mission involved high risk, as aircraft and drones from various countries are active in the region, and it was important to accurately confirm the target to avoid hitting allies.

The incident occurred shortly after a drone attack on the British base RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. According to military estimates, that drone could have been launched from Lebanon and was aimed at a hangar with American reconnaissance aircraft.

After returning to the base, the pilots celebrated the successful operation symbolically — by drinking a bottle of Cypriot beer before a new tour of duty.