Yep, they would need both fighters and AEW&C to make AEW&C effective. But if they at least have more modern jets, deploy their anti-air defenses strategically and use radar tricks to hit F-35 then they would be able to tick the scales a bit. But this depends on how much Iranian air forces are used to these tactics and are used to the more modern equipment.
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/china-rebuilding-iran-air-defence-hq9b
Iran would actually need airborn early warning and control (AEW&C) to effectively defeat F-35 fighters with anti-air defenses. But if Iran were to deploy a few J-10C that were used by Pakistan, they would at least put an obstacle in acquiring air superiority in Iranian territory, since the jets would not be able to maneuver freely in Iranian territory.
Let’s keep in mind that J-10Cs are 4th gen as well. But I think Iran would be able to replace their old fleet with newer J-10Cs as quickly as Pakistan did with their older jets.
Oh, and I forgot to add, China, Russia and Iran didn’t even use their top tier missiles yet.
Yup, and today missiles can have satellite guidance. So, not only precise, but it is also smart enough to avoid some routes with heavy anti-air defenses.
US missiles are hypersonic just because AngryCommieKender said so.
Exactly. Hype based capital investment.
Israel is an invading country currently performing the biggest live-streamed genocide in recent history. They don’t care about international law or what people in the rest of the world think. So their boarding or attack of the freedom flotilla does not care about reasonable use of force.
It’s not the first time the flotilla is intercepted by Israeli forces. A few months ago a ship from freedom flotilla was sunk by Israeli drones, with some of the activists that are currently on board in the Madleen (such as Thiago Ávila). But it’s the first time a high profile activist like Greta Thunberg is joining their initiative.
The US will never admit their F-35 got shot. They alleged a few F-35 fell into the ocean after defensive maneuvers done by a carrier. Note that this happened at least twice.