List of aircraft of the Iranian Air Force

This is a list of aircraft types operated by the Iranian Air Force, not including those operated by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This list also includes those operated by Imperial Iranian Army Aviation prior to the foundation of the Air Force as a separate service in August 1955.

Iranian Air Force

In 2007, Iraq asked Iran to return some of the scores of Iraqi fighter planes that flew there ahead of the Persian Gulf War in 1991.[1] And as of 2014, Iran was receptive to the demands and was working on refurbishing an unspecified number of jets.[2][3] In late 2014, Iran gave some of the impounded former Iraqi military aircraft back to Iraq.[4]

Combat/Fighter Aircraft

Air superiority fighters
Aircraft Origin Type Versions Number Years Notes
Mikoyan MiG-29RussiaMultirole-fighter
Trainer		MiG-29A
MiG-29UB		40-44199114 MiG-29 delivered in 1990. 20 more delivered in 1991. An additional 6 more were delivered in 1993-1994. Iran also took 4 ex-Iraqi MiG-29 aircraft flown over in 1991, including one MiG-29UB. Only one dual-seater was taken into service with 3 single-seaters cannibalized for spare parts. The current number of MiG-29 in active service is unknown. According to Russian media up to 30 (24 MiG-29A product 9.12A and 6 MiG-29UB 9.51) of all MiG-29s have been overhauled and can now be armed with Nasr-1 anti-ship missiles.[5][6][7]
Grumman F-14 TomcatUSInterceptorF-14A411974–present80 examples ordered, 79 were originally delivered; the only plane to use the Phoenix missile. 40 to 43 in inventory.[6]

Iran currently has about 40 F-14 remaining with two of them having been upgraded to F-14AM[8] around 20 Fully Mission Capable and the other 20 Partially Mission Capable

Sukhoi Su-35 Russia Multirole-fighter Su-35SE 24 (on order) Expected to be 2023 Following the Russian purchase of Iranian suicide drones during the invasion in Ukraine, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) is reportedly considering the procurement of the Sukhoi Su-35 in exchange for further delivery of ammunition, drones and ballistic missiles to the Russian Armed Forces, according to US officials.

It was also reported that training of Iranian pilots has begun in spring 2022 and that the aircraft may be delivered in 2023. The deal may include 24 Su-35 jets originally built for Egypt, that have not been handed over so far.[9][10]The deal was confirmed by Iranian state-owned media on 28 December 2022.[11]

Multirole fighters
Aircraft Origin Type Versions Number Years Notes
HESA SaeqehIranLight FighterSaegheh-1/26[12]2006–presentIs claimed to be heavily upgraded and indigenously made
HESA KowsarIranFighter4[12][13]2018–present

Western analysts have described the plane as inefficient as a weapon, but having potential for training a new generation of Iranian fighter pilots. According to the Iranian state-media, this fighter jet has "advanced avionics" and multipurpose radar, and it was "100-percent indigenously made". It also uses digital data networks, a glass cockpit, heads-up display (HUD), ballistic computers and smart mobile mapping systems.

Su-22RussiaFighter-BomberSu-22M3/M4201991–presentThe Iranian Air Force received 40 Su-20/22s from Iraq in 1991.[14] While non-operational for several years, Iran started in 2013 an overhauling program for these.[15] In March 2015, 10 of the Iranian Air Force Su-22 were transferred to the Syrian Arab Air Force to fight in the ongoing Civil War.[16] In July 2018, Iranian military technical experts successfully overhauled and modernized 10 Su-22s, giving them the ability to carry smart bombs, fire precision-guided munitions, transfer data from UAVs and in the near future the necessary systems to use air-launched cruise missiles with a range of 1500 km. The overhauled planes are being used by IRGC's Air Force.[17][18]
Chengdu J-7ChinaFighterN/MB241991–present
Mirage F1FranceMultirole-fighterF1EQ/F1BQ231991–presentIran received 24 F1BQs and F1EQs flown over from Iraq, during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. One Mirage F1BQ from Mashhad AFB (TFB.14) was shot down on July 8, 2001 by the Taliban with Sa-16/18 Manpad while involved in countering drug-smuggling at the Afghan border.
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIUSMultirole-fighterF-4D/E
RF-4E		641968–present225 examples ordered and delivered. According to Global Security 60 F-4D/E and 4 RF-4Es remain.[6] 10 are F-4Ds and 50 are F-4Es.[19] F-4Ds/Es are currently undergoing an upgrade program which includes a new Chinese-built radar and other avionics and weapons namely PL-5E, PL-11 and C-801.(According to the aviationist (October 2013) the Qader cruise missile that went into mass production was successfully tested on an F-4).[6][7]
Northrop F-5 Tiger IIUSLight fighterF-5E
F-5F		60[6]1974–present181 examples ordered and delivered. According to Global Security 60 F-5's remain[6] This includes about 16 F-5F dual seat trainers and 44 F-5E fighter bomber[19]

Ground attack
Aircraft Origin Type Versions Number Years Notes
HESA AzarakhshIranLight attack aircraftFirst Generation (includes twin-seat version)42015Rebuilt F-5E.
Sukhoi Su-24RussiaStrike/air-to-air refuelling "buddy" tankerSu-24MK361991

12 aircraft supplied by Russia in 1991. 24 Iraqi examples were evacuated to Iran during the 1991 Gulf War and were put in service with the IRIAF. 30 Su-24MKs in service as of January 2013.[20][6] Iran tested domestically produced, anti-radar smart missiles carried by Su-24 aircraft in September 2011, the IRIAF's Deputy Commander, General Mohammad Alavi said, according to IRINN TV.[21]

Future additions
Aircraft Origin Type Versions Number Years Notes
Saegheh 2IranFighterFighter jet12016The new generation of Saeqeh is a twin-seat fighter jet, which has more power, mobility, navigation equipment, fire power, pay load and operational range compared to its single-seat version.[22]
HESA Shafaq Iran Trainer / Attack aircraft No data 2017 Advanced light fighter/trainer, still in development
Yaghout Iran Interceptor Still in development Expected to be 2025 An Advanced 4++ generation heavy Interceptor, intended to be produced in two versions; A twin-seat model for the primary Air Force and a single-seat version for IRGC's Aerospace Force.

Reconnaissance, patrol, and EW

Maritime Patrol
Aircraft Origin Type Versions Number Years Notes
Lockheed P-3 OrionUSmaritime patrolP-3F31974–present3 in service

Transport/AWACS/Maritime patrol
Aircraft Origin Type Versions Number Years Notes
HESA IrAn-140IranTransport/AWACS/Maritime patrol7Project appears to have been stalled or cancelled.[23]
Ilyushin Il-76 Soviet Union AWACS IL-76MD Adnan 1 1991-Present Former Iraqi Air Force aircraft two fled to iran during 1991 Persian Gulf War.[24] One lost in an accident during 2009.[25]

Transport and utility
Aircraft Origin Type Versions Number Years Notes
Antonov An-74Ukraineutility transport12All assigned to IRGCAF, not IRIAF.
Ilyushin Il-76Russiatactical airlift/transport15According to magazine "Airforce", only 4–5 of them are fully operational
Dassault Falcon 20FranceVIP transport3
Dassault Falcon 50FranceVIP transport1
Fokker F27 FriendshipNetherlandstactical airlift/transport and target towingF27-400M
F27-600		121972–present
Pilatus PC-6 PorterSwitzerlandutility transport15
Boeing 707USVIP transport
transport
air-to-air refuelling tanker		707-368C
707-3J9C		1
2		1974–

1 tanker, 2 transports Global security reports that one 707 is a tanker and two are transports.[6]

Boeing 747USVIP transport/freighter747-100
747-100F
747-200F		62 tanker, 4 transports.One is used for electronic warfare.[6]
Lockheed C-130 HerculesUStactical airlift/transportC-130E
C-130H		27[6]Nine visible on Google Maps at Mehrabad Air Base, with various underwing stores and some do not appear to have all four engines installed.
Lockheed JetStarUSVIP transportJetStar 821 operational in 2008

Trainers
Aircraft Origin Type Versions Number Years Notes
Fajr F.3IrantrainerF.32
HESA DornaIranTrainer12016Prototype
IRIAF Parastu-14Irantrainer1212 as of 2005.[6]
HESA YasinIranAdvanced Trainer2+HESA Yasin (formerly known as Kowsar 88) is a light aircraft and advance training aircraft designed and manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Company at the request of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Yassin uses two 7,000-pound turbojet engines and is on par with the Russian MiG-AT jet.
HESA Simorgh / Northrop F-5 BIranAdvanced Trainer9F-5As converted domestically to F-5B standard.
Chengdu FT-7ChinaAdvanced TrainerFT.714Dual-seat J-7 conversion trainer. Some reports indicates that 5 are in service.[6] Scramble notes 14 active.[26]
TB-21 Tobago / TB-200 TrinidadFrancetrainer1212 trainers in service.[6]
PAC MFI-17 MushshakPakistantrainer2525 trainers in service.[6]
Pilatus PC-7 Turbo TrainerSwitzerlandtrainer45
Beechcraft BonanzaUStrainerF.3328
Yak-130 Russia trainer/CAS 2+ [27]

Helicopters
Aircraft Origin Type Variant Number Years Notes
Agusta Bell 206 Italy Light utility/trainer AB 206 20 Licence-built in Italy.
Agusta-Bell 212 Italy Utility AB-212 2 Licence-built in Italy
Boeing CH-47 Chinook US Heavy-lift transport CH-47C 20-30

Other types

These types were also purchased by the Iranian government

A number of other types have been in recent, or reported to be in, Iranian service. Many remain in reserve storage or are operated by the Army or Navy. Some recent types include:

Iran has a number of UAVs and UCAVs, currently under operation of the Iranian Army Aviation.

See also

References
  1. Colvin, Ross. "Iraq air force wants Iran to give back its planes". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2017-10-11. Retrieved 2017-12-16.
  2. "With new US planes slow to arrive, Iraq seeks remnants of Saddam's air force to bomb ISIL". Archived from the original on 2017-08-24. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  3. "Iraq cobbling together makeshift air force to fight ISIS". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2017-09-01. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  4. "Iran returns military aircraft to Iraq after 20 years". 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  5. "Iranian Air Force receives overhauled MiG-29 fighter jet and new Nasr missiles - News - Russian Aviation - RUAVIATION.COM". www.ruaviation.com.
  6. "Iran Air Force". globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  7. Taghvaee, Babak (June 2012). "Guardians of Tehran: Iranian Fulcrums". Combat Aircraft Monthly. pp. 70–73.
  8. "Analysis: Fakour Air-to-Air Missile". Archived from the original on 2018-07-27. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
  9. "Russia readies to transfer Su-35 fighters to Iran – report - AeroTime". 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  10. "Russia trains Iranian pilots on Su-35 fighters". Militarnyi. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  11. "Dozens of Sukhoi Su-35 Fighter Jets to Be Delivered to Iran by Russia Soon - Defense news". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  12. "ویژگیهای مهم اولین جنگنده کاملا ایرانی +عکس". jamejamonline.ir (in Persian). October 10, 2020. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  13. "هواپیمای ترابری نظامی ایران 140 امسال رونمایی می‌شود/تحویل 3 فروند جنگنده کوثر به نیروی هوایی ارتش/ سبد محصولات پهپادی ما کامل شده است- اخبار خواندنی - اخبار رسانه ها تسنیم | Tasnim". خبرگزاری تسنیم | Tasnim (in Persian). Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  14. "01IRIAF Su 22 Fitter1 :: Mycity-Military.com". www.mycity-military.com. Archived from the original on 2018-07-29. Retrieved 2018-07-29.
  15. Boring, War Is (2013-12-18). "This Is How Iran Maintains Its Bizarre Air Force". War Is Boring. Archived from the original on 2017-09-13. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  16. "Warplanes: Iran Gives Syria Ten Iraqi Su-22s". www.strategypage.com. Archived from the original on 2018-02-04. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  17. "IRGC overhauls, upgrades 10 Sukhoi SU-22 fighter jets". 25 July 2018. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  18. "Iran Upgrades 10 Su-22 Fighter Jets Domestically". www.defenseworld.net. Archived from the original on 2018-07-27. Retrieved 2018-07-27.
  19. "Scramble". www.scramble.nl. Archived from the original on 2017-08-25. Retrieved 2017-08-25.
  20. "World Military Aircraft Inventory". Aviation Week and Space Technology. January 2013.
  21. "Su-24 front-line bomber". airforceworld.com. September 2011. Archived from the original on 14 October 2011. Retrieved 5 Oct 2011.
  22. "HESA Saeqeh Saeqeh-80 Azarakhsh-2 fighter aircraft". airrecognition.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  23. "Iran rejects manufacturing Iran-140 passenger plane". 19 May 2015. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  24. "IRIAF Adnan 1 (A-50)". www.digitalcombatsimulator.com. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  25. "IRIAF Adnan 1 (A-50)". www.digitalcombatsimulator.com. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  26. "Military Database - Scramble". www.scramble.nl.
  27. "جنگنده آموزشی یاک 130 به ایران آمد- اخبار نظامی | دفاعی | امنیتی - اخبار سیاسی تسنیم | Tasnim". خبرگزاری تسنیم | Tasnim (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-09-02.

Further reading
  • Andrade, John (1982). Militair 1982. London: Aviation Press Limited. ISBN 0-907898-01-7.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Air force aircraft of Iran.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.