Military analysis of the Six-Day War (1967): strategies, aircraft involved, Israeli air superiority and major geopolitical consequences.

The Six-Day War, which took place from June 5 to 10, 1967, pitted Israel against a coalition of Arab states including Egypt, Syria and Jordan. This conflict, triggered by growing tensions in the region, was marked by lightning military operations, in which air superiority played a decisive role.

Tensions were exacerbated from May 1967 onwards, with the Egyptian blockade of the Straits of Tiran and the withdrawal of UN forces from the Sinai Peninsula. Israel perceived these actions as imminent acts of war, justifying its launch of a pre-emptive attack against its neighbors. The well-trained and well-equipped Israeli armed forces found themselves up against a coalition with a large number of units, but lacking in coordination and logistics.

Air superiority: Operation Focus

Israel’s air attack, dubbed Operation Focus (Moked), was the decisive point of entry into the conflict. At dawn on June 5, the majority of the Israeli air force carried out massive strikes on Egyptian air bases. In three successive waves, Israeli fighters and bombers destroyed almost 300 Egyptian aircraft on the ground, rendering the Egyptian air force largely inoperative in the early hours.

Figures show that Israel mobilized around 200 aircraft for this mission, against an Egyptian fleet of around 420. Syrian, Jordanian and Iraqi forces also suffered heavy losses, albeit to a lesser extent. This strategic move enabled Israel to dominate the airspace throughout the conflict.

Aircraft involved

Israel

1. Dassault Mirage III
   The Mirage III, a front-line French fighter, was the backbone of the Israeli air force. Designed for interception and ground assault missions, it was renowned for its speed (Mach 2.2) and maneuverability. Israeli pilots used this aircraft to neutralize air defenses and intercept the few remaining operational enemy aircraft.
2. Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
   This robust and versatile American attack aircraft was used for ground strikes. Its ability to carry a wide variety of weapons, combined with its ease of maintenance, made it a major asset for Israeli campaigns in the Sinai.

Arab States

1. MiG-21
   The MiG-21, a Soviet supersonic aircraft, was the main fighter of the Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian forces. Fast and maneuverable, it nevertheless suffered from a lack of autonomy and limited electronic equipment compared to its Israeli counterpart, the Mirage III.
2. MiG-17
   Although technologically outdated, this subsonic fighter was still widely used for ground attack and air defense missions. It showed its limitations in the face of modern Israeli tactics.
3. Sukhoi Su-7
   This robust but unwieldy ground attack aircraft was mainly used by Egyptian forces. Well-suited to ground strikes, it was vulnerable to Israeli air attacks.

Course of operations

Having established unchallenged air supremacy, Israel concentrated its efforts on the ground fronts. In Sinai, Israeli tanks advanced rapidly, supported by targeted air strikes. Jordan, having joined the conflict, saw its positions on the West Bank rapidly overrun. On the Golan Heights, Syrian forces, despite a fierce defense, were pushed back in the final days of the conflict.

Total Arab aircraft losses are estimated at over 450 destroyed, compared with just 46 for Israel, a ratio that illustrates the effectiveness of Israeli tactics. In human terms, the conflict claimed the lives of almost 20,000 Arab soldiers and around 800 Israeli soldiers, according to available estimates.

Israeli success factors

Several factors contributed to Israel’s rapid victory:

• Meticulous preparation: Operation Focus was planned down to the last detail, with repeated simulations and training flights.
• Pilot training: Israeli pilots were among the best trained in the region, enabling them to exploit their aircraft’s capabilities to the full.
• Intelligence: Israel had detailed knowledge of enemy air force positions and schedules, facilitating targeted strikes.
• Joint coordination: air, land and naval forces worked in sync, maximizing the impact of offensives.

Consequences of the conflict

The Six-Day War reshaped the map of the Middle East. Israel quadrupled its territory, occupying Sinai, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights. This expansion had major geopolitical consequences, creating tensions that continue to this day.

In military terms, the conflict confirmed the importance of air superiority in modern warfare. Israeli military doctrines have become the benchmark for many countries, particularly when it comes to pre-emptive strikes.

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