Israel showed that seizing air superiority isn't gone from modern warfare, but Iran isn't China or Russia

Sinéad Baker

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Israel, however, was able to quickly achieve it against Iran.

But Iran, though capable, isn't bringing the same fight that a foe such as Russia or China could.

Israel swiftly seized air superiority over parts of Iran during the latest fight, showing it's still possible in modern, higher-end warfare to heavily dominate an enemy's skies.

But there's a risk in taking the wrong lesson from that win. Iran isn't Russia or China, and as the West readies for potential near-peer conflict, it really can't afford to forget that, officials and experts have cautioned.

Western military officials and warfare experts have repeatedly warned in recent years that achieving air superiority against those countries would be a daunting task.

Russia and China, especially the latter, boast sophisticated, integrated air defense networks with ground-based interceptors well supported by capable air forces, electronic warfare, and reliable space-based and airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Air superiority in a limited theater isn't the same as breaking through a complex anti-access, area-denial setup.

Israel's victory in the air war over Iran shows air superiority is "not impossible" in modern warfare, explained retired Australian Army Maj. Gen. Mick Ryan, a warfare strategist. That said, he continued, a Western conflict with Russia or China would be "very different."