Watch: Israel Defense Forces Shoot Down Iranian Drone; F-16 lost in counter-attack

Isreal Defense Forces released a video of an Israeli Air Force Apache Helicopter intercepting and destroying an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

On February 10, 2018, an Apache helicopter successfully intercepted an Iranian UAV that was launched from Syria and infiltrated Israel. The aircraft was identified by the Aerial Defense Systems early on and was under surveillance until the interception. In response, IDF attacked the Iranian aircraft’s launch components in Syrian territory.

Later, also in response to the Iranian UAV that was launched at Israeli territory and was intercepted by the IDF, Israeli Air Force (IAF) aircraft targeted 12 targets in Syria, including three aerial defense batteries and four Iranian targets that are part of Iran’s military establishment in Syria.

During the counter-attack, the pilot and weapons systems officer ejected out of an Isreali Air Force F-16 after multiple anti-aircraft missiles were fired at the jets. One of the two crew members was seriously injured and is being treated.

The UAV infiltration and the Israeli counter-attack show growing tensions between Israel, Iran and Syria.

“The Syrians and the Iranians, from our point of view, are playing with fire,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, Head of the International Media Desk. “The Syrians are playing with fire when they allow the Iranians to attack Israel from their soil. We are willing, prepared, and capable to exact a heavy price on anyone that attacks us. However, we are not looking to escalate the situation.”