US deploys F-22 stealth jets to Israel amid rising tensions with Iran; how it compares to China's J-20 and Russia's Su-57

The United States has deployed its most advanced stealth fighter, the F-22 Raptor, to Israel in a rare operational move amid rising tensions with Iran. The deployment to an Israeli Air Force base marks a notable expansion of US military positioning in the Middle East and signals a visible show of airpower.

As Washington shows its top-tier stealth capabilities, the move puts a spotlight on America’s fifth-generation air dominance capabilities, and how they measure up against competing stealth jets. The rare operational deployment — rather than a joint training exercise — comes amid mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran.According to open-source flight tracking data and aircraft spotters, 12 F-22s were seen departing Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England earlier in the day, though one reportedly returned to base due to a technical issue.

The aircraft had been stationed in the United Kingdom for several days, apparently delayed by problems affecting accompanying refuelling planes, The Times of Israel reported.The F-22, flown exclusively by the US Air Force, is widely regarded as one of the world’s most advanced air-superiority fighters, designed for high-end air-to-air combat with advanced stealth, speed and manoeuvrability.Their arrival in Israel comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, as negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme continue.

The two sides are scheduled to meet in Geneva on Thursday, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reportedly been authorised to present a counterproposal to the American delegation.At the same time, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that he will attack Iran if talks collapse. Tehran has threatened to retaliate against Israel and US assets in the region in the event of a strike.Israeli officials are said to believe that American military action is likely, with senior defence officials from both countries maintaining close contact.

One Israeli official told Channel 12 that a diplomatic breakthrough would be the “surprise of the year”.In recent days, additional US aircraft — including F-35s, F-15s and F-16s — as well as refuelling tankers and cargo planes, have been tracked heading towards the Middle East, in what analysts describe as the largest American build-up in the region since 2003.Let's understand US military jets' standing against those of China’s J-20 and Russia’s Su-57.

What is the F22?

The Lockheed Martin–Boeing F-22 Raptor is an American twin-engine, jet-powered, all-weather, supersonic stealth fighter developed under the US Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter programme. Built primarily as an air-superiority platform, it also incorporates ground-attack, electronic warfare and signals intelligence capabilities.First flown in 1997, the F-22 entered operational service in December 2005.

It replaced the F-15 Eagle in many active-duty US Air Force squadrons. Originally intended as a 750-aircraft fleet, production was reduced to 195 jets — 187 operational — amid high costs and shifting defence priorities. It remains the USAF’s premier air-dominance fighter.

What is the J 20?

The Chengdu J-20, also known as “Weilong” (“Mighty Dragon”) and bearing the NATO reporting name “Fagin”, is a twin-engine, all-weather stealth fighter developed by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.Designed primarily for air superiority with precision-strike capability, the J-20 emerged from China’s J-XX programme of the 1990s. It made its maiden flight on 11 January 2011, was publicly unveiled in 2016, and entered service in March 2017, with its first combat unit formed the following year.

The aircraft exists in several variants, including an improved version with new engines and thrust-vectoring control, as well as a twin-seat model intended for aircraft-teaming roles. With the J-20’s induction, China became the second country after the United States to field an operational fifth-generation stealth fighter

What is the Su-57?

The Sukhoi Su-57 is Russia’s first operational fifth-generation fighter, developed under the PAK FA program to replace aging MiG-29 and Su-27 variants.

Designed as a multirole platform, it can perform air superiority, strike, suppression of enemy air defenses, and network-centric operations. Unlike Western stealth fighters, the Su-57 prioritizes super-maneuverability alongside reduced radar signature, rather than pursuing minimal radar cross-section at all costs.

Its design incorporates internal weapons bays, composite materials, and 3D thrust-vectoring engines to balance agility with stealth.

The aircraft entered limited service with the Russian Aerospace Forces in 2020 and remains in low-rate serial production.

What is the F-35?

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a US fifth-generation multirole fighter designed for air superiority, strike missions, electronic warfare, and intelligence operations. It comes in three variants: the conventional F-35A, the short-takeoff/vertical-landing F-35B, and the carrier-based F-35C. While technologically advanced, the F-35 comes with restrictions on the use of non-US weapons systems, which may limit operational flexibility for India.