60 Years Since Operation Diamond: How the Mossad Obtained the Most Sought-After Aircraft in the World

In the spring of 1965, Air Force Commander Ezer Weizman and Mossad Director Meir Amit met for breakfast. Weizman asked Amit to obtain a Soviet MiG-21 fighter jet — the 'holy grail' for Western intelligence at the time. Despite his initial skepticism, Amit ordered his team to find a way to secure the aircraft.

Operation Diamond

The MiG-21 was the Soviet Union's primary fighter, and its combat capabilities remained a mystery to the West. American intelligence had failed to acquire technical data, and Soviet pilots were kept under strict surveillance. For Israel, however, the aircraft was essential for preparing for future conflicts.

Meir Amit assigned the mission to his deputy, Rahavya Vardi. Through IDF attaché in Iran Yaakov Nimrodi, the team made contact with Iraqi pilot Munir Redfa. As a Christian in Muslim Iraq, Redfa felt marginalized and was disillusioned with the government's policies. He agreed to defect to Israel in exchange for political asylum for his family and $50,000.

The Defection and Its Impact

On August 16, 1965, Redfa flew his MiG-21 to Israel. Upon landing at Hatzor Air Base, the aircraft was transferred to the Air Force. Tests conducted by chief test pilot Danny Shapira revealed the MiG-21's weaknesses: short range, poor rear visibility, and difficulty maneuvering at low altitudes. This intelligence allowed Israeli pilots to effectively counter the MiGs during the Six-Day War, shooting down over 20 of them.

The operation's success strengthened Israel's strategic relationship with the United States. American analysts studied the MiG-21, which helped save the lives of U.S. pilots during the Vietnam War. After living in Israel for a period, Munir Redfa moved with his family to Europe, while the aircraft was transferred to the U.S. for further research.