F‑22 raptors bolster US presence amid rising Middle East tensions

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that F-22 Raptor fighters have arrived in the Middle East. These aircraft have been deployed to the region to support Israel and serve as a deterrent against its enemies.

Since October 2023, Israel has been engaged in conflict with Hezbollah and Hamas. Additionally, Israel and its allies have faced persistent attacks from Yemeni Houthi rebels, who periodically disrupt maritime trade routes or target American reconnaissance drones. Recently, tensions have escalated further as Iran has not ruled out an attack on Israel.

The F-22 Raptors will join other American aircraft stationed in the Middle East. While rotating equipment in the region is a routine practice, according to a statement from CENTCOM on its X profile, this particular deployment aims to "alleviate potential escalation in the area caused by Iran and its allies."

The F-22 Raptor is an American air superiority fighter produced by Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Serial production of this aircraft began in 1997 and continued until 2011, resulting in around 200 units. Notably, none have entered service with any military other than that of the United States.

The F-22 Raptor is renowned for its stealth technology (low observability) and supercruise, the ability to reach supersonic speeds without using afterburners.

The F-22 Raptor measures 62 feet long and over 16 feet in height. It is standardly equipped with a 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon but poses a significantly greater threat when carrying additional compatible weapons. These can include AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and various air-to-ground missiles.

With a takeoff weight exceeding 80,000 pounds, the F-22 Raptor can reach speeds up to Mach 2.25 and climb to an altitude of around 65,000 feet.

It's worth noting that this will not be the first mission of the F-22 Raptor in the Middle East. These aircraft have been deployed to the region before. Following the outbreak of the conflict between Israel, Hezbollah, and Hamas at the end of 2023, F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft also arrived from the United States as part of the support.