Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force: Difference between revisions
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These included several [[Mirage F1]]s, [[MiG-25|MiG-25 Foxbat]]s, [[MiG-21|MiG-21 Fishbeds]], [[MiG-27]]s, [[Sukhoi Su-24|Su-24MK Fencer-D]]s, [[MiG-29 Fulcrum]]s, [[Su-20]]s, [[Su-17|Su-22M Fitter]]s, [[Su-25 Frogfoot]]s, [[MiG-23]]s and a number of [[Il-76]]s, comprising the secretive, one-off AEW-AWACS prototype Il-76 "ADNAN 1" |
These included several [[Mirage F1]]s, [[MiG-25|MiG-25 Foxbat]]s, [[MiG-21|MiG-21 Fishbeds]], [[MiG-27]]s, [[Sukhoi Su-24|Su-24MK Fencer-D]]s, [[MiG-29 Fulcrum]]s, [[Su-20]]s, [[Su-17|Su-22M Fitter]]s, [[Su-25 Frogfoot]]s, [[MiG-23]]s and a number of [[Il-76]]s, comprising the secretive, one-off AEW-AWACS prototype Il-76 "ADNAN 1" |
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A Russian attempt to sell a large number of [[MiG-27]]s, [[MiG-31]]s, and Tupolev [[Tu-22M]]s to Iran, launched in 1993, was spoiled by a lack of interest and money on the part of Iran. Since 2000, on multiple occasions, [[MiG-31]]s and [[Su-27]]s are rumoured to have been seen in Iran's airspace, though no official declaration confirming this has been made by the IRIAF. |
A Russian attempt to sell a large number of [[MiG-27]]s, [[MiG-31]]s, and Tupolev [[Tu-22M]]s to Iran, launched in 1993, was spoiled by a lack of interest and money on the part of Iran. Since 2000, on multiple occasions, [[MiG-31]]s and [[Su-27]]s are rumoured to have been seen in Iran's airspace, though no official declaration confirming this has been made by the IRIAF.{{cn}} |
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In the early 1990s, Iran is rumoured to have signed a military contract with the USSR to purchase an unknown number of [[Su-27]]s; the delivery of the planes wasn't completed for more than a decade due to US pressure. Recently, Iran is rumoured to have received an unknown variant of the Su-27. Unconfirmed reports reveal their deployment at air bases in [[Tabriz]].{{Fact|date=April 2008}} |
In the early 1990s, Iran is rumoured to have signed a military contract with the USSR to purchase an unknown number of [[Su-27]]s; the delivery of the planes wasn't completed for more than a decade due to US pressure. Recently, Iran is rumoured to have received an unknown variant of the Su-27. Unconfirmed reports reveal their deployment at air bases in [[Tabriz]].{{Fact|date=April 2008}} |
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| Iranian Air Force |
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The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) (Template:PerB) is the aviation branch of the Iranian armed forces.
History
The IRIAF came into being when the former Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF) was re-named following the Islamic Revolution in Iran, in February 1979.
This "new" Iranian air force largely inherited the equipment and structure of the former IIAF, even losing most of its leading officers in the course of post-revolutionary chaos, as well as due to the prosecution of those considered as loyal to the Shah, pro-U.S. or elsewhere by the new government in Tehran.
Due to strained relations with the west, Iran had to procure new equipment from Brazil, Russia and the People's Republic of China.
Since the Revolution, the exact composition of the IRIAF is hard to determine, but estimates do exist. Many aircraft belonging to the Iraqi Air Force took refuge in Iran during the Persian Gulf War in 1991, and many were put into service with the IRIAF or taken apart for spare parts.
Due to the continuous spare parts shortages faced by the air force, a decision was made in the late 1980s to develop a local aerospace industry to support the air force.
In 2002, Iran with the co-operation of Ukraine, successfully started the manufacture of the Iran-140; a licence-built version of the Antonov An-140 transport aircraft. Simultaneously, Iran began construction of two 100% domestically-produced fighters, upgraded using technology from the F-14 Tomcat and the F-5 Tiger II. The fighters have been named the Azarakhsh and the Shafaq.
Since then the country has also become self-sufficient in the manufacture of helicopters. The country claims that it is capable of producing the old U.S. AH-1 Cobra gunship. Additionally, Iran also produces Bell Helicopter Bell 212 and Bell 206 helicopters in serial production. These are known respectively as the Shabaviz 2-75 and the Shabaviz 206.
Iran–Iraq War
A series of purges and forced retirements resulted in the manpower of the service being halved between February 1979 and July 1980, leaving the IRIAF ill-prepared for the Iran–Iraq War (also called the "1st Persian Gulf War"). The sudden Iraqi air strikes against six Iranian airfields and four other military installations, launched on the afternoon of 22 September 1980, came as a complete surprise and caused a shock in the IRIAF. Nevertheless, they caused relatively minimal damage, and the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force retaliated fiercely to the invasion, flying strikes involving up to 140 McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs against main Iraqi airfields, oil industry installations, and communications sites.[citation needed] Intense Iranian activity inside Iraqi air space during the first week of the war managed to prove so successful that it eventually forced the Iraqi Air Force onto the defensive.[citation needed] In addition to striking Iraqi airfields, the IRIAF succeeded in managing to badly damage most of the Iraqi oil-producing and exporting facilities; resulting in Baghdad's decision to stop all oil exports for several years.[citation needed]
Following a one week-long counter-air campaign, and due to a critical situation on the ground in Khuzestan Province, the IRIAF was thrown into the land-battle, mainly in the areas of Khorramshahr, Ahvaz, and Dezful. Here, the IRIAF's performance and superiority over the Iraqi Air Force (IrAF) surprised most informed observers.[citation needed] Its air strikes against armour and supply-columns sapped the offensive strength of the Iraqi military.[citation needed] Due to heavy losses in troops and armour, Iranian air superiority and an interruption of supply systems, the Iraqis had to stop their offensive, and then became involved in extremely bitter land-battles against Iranian ground forces.
However, the IRIAF paid a heavy price for this success, losing dozens of its best pilots and aircraft in the period between September and December 1980.
Although the readiness rates of the IRIAF significantly increased in the following months, its overall role and influence declined, as the clerical government searched to put the emphasis in fighting on the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) militias, but also attempted to develop a separate air arm for this service.
After the successful liberation of most Iranian areas captured by the Iraqis, in late spring 1982, the situation of the IRIAF changed completely. From an air arm that was offensive by nature, it was largely relegated to air defence and, relatively seldom, tasks of flying bombing attacks against targets of industrial and military significance inside Iraq. Simultaneously, the IRIAF had to learn to maintain and keep operational its large fleet of U.S.-built aircraft and helicopters without outside help, due to American sanctions. Reaching back on equipment purchased from the U.S.A. in the 1970s, the Iranians began establishing their own aerospace industry; their efforts in this remained largely unrecognised until recently.
However, the IRIAF was able to obtain limited amounts of spare parts and weapons for its American-made aircraft, when Iran was able to buy American spare parts and weapons for its armed forces, during the Iran-Contra Affair. Deliveries came via Israel and later, from the USA.
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From 1984 and 1985, the IRIAF found itself confronted by an ever better organised and equipped opponent, as the Iraqi Air force - reinforced by deliveries of advanced fighter-bombers from France and the Soviet Union - launched numerous offensives against Iranian population centres and oil-export hubs. These became better known as "The Tanker War" and "The War of the Cities". To defend against an increasing number of Iraqi air strikes, the IRIAF leaned heavily on its large fleet of Grumman F-14 Tomcat air superiority fighters. Tomcats were mainly deployed in defence of the strategically-important Khark Island (main hub for Iranian oil exports), and Tehran. Over 300 air-to-air engagements against IrAF fighters, fighter-bombers, and bombers, were fought in these areas alone between 1980 and 1988.[citation needed]
Confronted with the fact that it could not obtain replacements for equipment lost in what became a war of attrition against Iraq, for the rest of the conflict, the IRIAF remained defence-orientated, conserving its surviving assets as a "force in being". From late 1987, the IRIAF found itself confronted also with U.S. Navy fighters over the Persian Gulf. A number of confrontations that occurred between August 1987 and April 1988, stretched available IRIAF assets to the limit, almost exhausting its capability to defend Iranian air space against Iraqi air strikes.
Post Iran Iraq War
Immediately after the end of the Iran–Iraq War, the IRIAF was partially re-built by limited purchases of MiG-29 fighters and Su-24 bombers from the Soviet Union, as well as F-7M and FT-7 fighters from China. While a welcome reinforcement, these types never replaced the older, U.S.-built F-4 Phantoms or F-14 Tomcats (now the only air arm in the world to continue using the fighter), or even Northrop F-5 Tiger IIs. Instead, the IRIAF continued efforts to maintain these types in service, and began a number of projects with the intention to refurbish and upgrade them.
Just before the Gulf War in 1991, many Iraqi pilots and aircraft of the Iraqi air force, escaped to Iran to avoid destruction in the bombing campaign. The Iranians impounded these aircraft after the war and never returned them, putting them in the service of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force [1] - claiming them as reparations for the Iran–Iraq War.
These included several Mirage F1s, MiG-25 Foxbats, MiG-21 Fishbeds, MiG-27s, Su-24MK Fencer-Ds, MiG-29 Fulcrums, Su-20s, Su-22M Fitters, Su-25 Frogfoots, MiG-23s and a number of Il-76s, comprising the secretive, one-off AEW-AWACS prototype Il-76 "ADNAN 1"
A Russian attempt to sell a large number of MiG-27s, MiG-31s, and Tupolev Tu-22Ms to Iran, launched in 1993, was spoiled by a lack of interest and money on the part of Iran. Since 2000, on multiple occasions, MiG-31s and Su-27s are rumoured to have been seen in Iran's airspace, though no official declaration confirming this has been made by the IRIAF.[citation needed]
In the early 1990s, Iran is rumoured to have signed a military contract with the USSR to purchase an unknown number of Su-27s; the delivery of the planes wasn't completed for more than a decade due to US pressure. Recently, Iran is rumoured to have received an unknown variant of the Su-27. Unconfirmed reports reveal their deployment at air bases in Tabriz.[citation needed]
Current composition
The IRIAF composition has changed very little since 1979. The first, very limited re-location of several units - including disbandment of some, and establishing of new squadrons - occurred in autumn 1980, when the F-4D-fleet was concentrated at Shiraz, two squadrons of F-4Es moved from Shiraz to Hamedan, and a squadron of F-14 Tomcats deployed to Mehrabad. Other deployments during the war with Iraq were mainly of temporary character, even if a major re-organisation of existing air-defence assets - foremost SAM- and AAA-units - was undertaken in 1985. There has been no major re-organisation during all of the 1990s either.
Equipment, capabilities and combat performance of the IRIAF strongly influenced the development of the Iraqi Air Force (IrAF), during the 1980s, but also that of the United Arab Emirates Air Force, in the 1990s and the most recent times.
Alleged purchases
Su-30
It was reported by Jerusalem Post that Iran has signed an arms deal with the Russian Rosoboronexport arms group to buy 250 Su-30 MKM warplanes and 20 Il-78 MKI aerial tankers.it is reported that Israeli defense officials were investigating the potential Iran-Russia deal, in which Iran would pay $1 billion a dozen squadrons’ worth of the jets.[1]It is rumored that the first aircraft would have been delivered before the end of 2007. This sale would give Iran the largest and probably the most powerful air force in the Middle East. Iran and Russia have both denied this and have rejected these claims as propaganda.[2][3][4]
J-10
The Russian news agency Novosti reported that Business & Financial Markets said Iran has signed a deal with China to buy two squadrons/24 of J-10 fighter planes with Russian-made AL-31FN engines. The total cost of the planes is estimated at $1 billion, and deliveries are expected between 2008 and 2010. China denied that it had agreed to sell its homegrown fighter jets to Iran, saying no talks had taken place. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters: "It's not true, it is an irresponsible report, China has not had talks with Iran on J-10 jets."[5][6][7]
MiG-29SMT
Some sources also report that next to Su-30s (and S-300 SAMs) Iran also wants to purchase newer variants of the MiG-29 like the MiG-29SMT.[citation needed] It is also rumoured that Iran has had their MiG-29A fighters upgraded to MiG-29SMT.[citation needed]
JF-17 Thunder
According to Global Security, in July 2003 Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Corporation (CAIC) unveiled the new ‘Super-7’ or Chao Qi fighter plane to the public, China supposedly received orders from Iran. The plane, now called the FC-1 is an export version of the JF-17 Thunder and entered production in 2006. As of 2008 Iran hasn't received any such plane.[2]
Aircraft inventory
Template:Standard table ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service[8] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |-----
| Agusta-Bell 206 || 
Italy
Iran || utility helicopter || AB 206A
Panha Shabviz 2061 || 3
- || AB 206A built by Agusta
unknown numbers of 2061 in service
|-----
| Agusta-Bell 212 || Italy || Light-lift transport helicopter || AB 212 || 5 || built by Agusta
|-----
| Agusta-Sikorsky AS-61 || Italy || helicopter || AS-61A4 || 2 || built by Agusta
|-----
| Beechcraft Bonanza || 
United States || trainer || F33C || 20 ||
|-----
| Bell 214 || United States || Medium-lift transport helicopter || Bell 214C || 25 ||
|-----
| Boeing 707 || United States || transport/air-to-air refuelling tanker || 707-3J9C || 10 || many modified for special missions
|-----
| Boeing 747 || United States || VIP transport/air-to-air refuelling tanker || 747-100F || 5 ||
|-----
| Boeing CH-47 Chinook || Italy || Heavy-lift transport helicopter || CH-47C || 4 || built by Elicotteri Meridionali
|-----
| Chengdu F-7 Airguard || 
China || Fighter (F-7M)/trainer (FT-7) || F-7M
FT-7 || 20
4 || FT-7 built by GAIC, an additional aircraft crashed due to technical failure
|-----
| Dassault Falcon 20 || 
France || VIP transport || || 1 ||
|-----
| Dassault Falcon 50 || France || VIP transport || || 3 ||
|-----
| Dassault Mirage F1 || France || fighter || F1EQ
F1BQ || 24 ||
|-----
| Embraer EMB 312 Tucano || 
Brazil || Basic trainer || || 15 ||
|-----
| Fajr-3 || Iran || trainer || F.3 || ? ||
|-----
| Fokker F27 Friendship || 
Netherlands || tactical airlift/transport || F27-400M
F27-600 || 11
3 ||
|-----
| Grumman F-14 Tomcat || United States || Interceptor/multi-role fighter || F-14A || 20 || 79 originally delivered; currently 59 in possession.[3]
|-----
| Harbin Y-12 || China || utility transport || || 8 ||
|-----
| HESA Azarakhsh || Iran || fighter || First Generation (includes twin-seat version) || 6 || 6 as of 2001, 30 planned for 2004 [4]
|-----
| HESA Saeqeh || Iran || fighter || Second Generation Azarakhsh || ? || at least 3 built [5]
|-----
| HESA Shafaq || Iran || fighter || || || 1 prototype built
|-----
| Dorna/Tazarv || Iran || trainer || ? || 2 || 1 as of 2005, 25 planned for 2010[6]
|-----
| IAMI Parastoo || Iran || trainer || || 12 || 12 as of 2005 [7]
|-----
| HESA Simorgh || Iran || trainer || || ||
|-----
| Ilyushin Il-76 || 
Russia || transport || ||15||
|-----
| Ilyushin Il-76 AEW || Russia || Airborne Early Warning || Adnan-1 || 2 || In 1991 Gulf War two IL-76AEW fled from Iraq to Iran where the remain in service at Shiraz and Mehrabad Intl.[9] Currently, only one remains operational for transport purposes, as the AWACS systems onboard are no longer operational.[10]
|-----
| Kaman HH-43 Huskie || United States || rescue helicopter || HH-43F || 8 ||
|-----
| Lockheed C-130 Hercules || United States || tactical airlift/transport || C-130E
C-130H || 5
4 ||
|-----
| Lockheed JetStar || United States || VIP transport || JetStar II || 1 ||
|-----
| Lockheed P-3 Orion || United States || maritime patrol || P-3F || 3 ||
|-----
| Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star || United States || trainer || T-33A || 5 ||
|-----
| McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II || United States || fighter
fighter
reconnaissance || F-4D
F-4E
RF-4E || 15
29
3 ||
|-----
| Mikoyan MiG-29 || Russia || fighter
trainer || MiG-29A
MiG-29UB || 35
5 || With local, Russian [11] and Indian[12] upgrades.
|-----
| Mil Mi-8 || Russia || Medium-lift transport helicopter || Mi-8MTW || 4 ||
|-----
| Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter/Tiger || United States || fighter || F-5A
F-5B
F-5E
F-5F
RF-5E || 75 ||
|-----
| Pilatus PC-6 Porter || 
Switzerland || utility transport || || 12 ||
|-----
| Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer || Switzerland || trainer || || 20 ||
|-----
| Rockwell Commander 690 || United States || utility transport || 690A || 4 ||
|-----
| PAC Mushshak || 
Pakistan || trainer || Mushshak || 23 || built by Pakistan
|-----
| Shenyang F-6 Farmer || China || fighter || F-6 || 18 ||
|-----
| Socata TB || France || utility || TB 20
TB 200 || 6
6 ||
|-----
| Sukhoi Su-24 || Russia || strike/air-to-air refuelling tanker || SU-24MK || 24 || upgraded by Russia[8]
|-----
| Sukhoi Su-25 || Russia || strike/close air support
trainer || Su-25K
Su-25T
Su-25UBK
Su-25UBT || -
3
-
3 || 7 Su-25K/UBK impounded from Iraq
6 Su-25T/UBT purchased from Russia[13]
|-----
| Xian Y-7 || China || tactical transport || Y-7 || 14 || built by Xian
|-----
|}
Historic
- Iran-140
- F-14 Tomcat
- F-5 Tiger II
- AH-1 Cobra gunship
- Bell 212/Shabaviz 2-75
- Bell 206/Shabaviz 206.
- MiG-29 fighters
- Su-24 bombers
- F-7M
- FT-7 fighters
- F-4 Phantoms
- Mirage F1
- MiG-25 Foxbat
- MiG-21 Fishbeds
- MiG-27
- Su-24MK Fencer-D
- MiG-29 Fulcrum
- Su-20
- Su-22M Fitter
- Su-25 Frogfoots
- MiG-23
- Il-76 - one-off AEW-AWACS prototype Il-76 "ADNAN 1"
- 2 Su-27
Facilities
In the last several years several new airfields have been constructed in central- and eastern Iran. Some of these facilities have since seen full-scale deployments of IRIAF units, and it now appears that at least two became permanent "Tactical Fighter Bases" (TFBs). These are the first such bases established since 1979. Except new airfields, with Chinese support, the IRIAF constructed also a number of new early warning radar sites around the country. Its ability to control the national airspace, however, remains limited - mainly due to the rugged terrain and lack of airborne early warning assets.
Aside from maintaining 14 TFBs, the IRIAF operates numerous temporary detachments on several minor airfields around the country. Ex-Iraqi Mirage F.1EQs, usually based at TFB.14, near Mashhad, were frequently seen over the Persian Gulf, in 2005 and 2006.
Markings
The IRIAF markings are only slightly different to those used by the IIAF.
The main difference is addition of the word "Allah" (meaning "God" in Arabic), in red, on the white field of the fin flash, and the text "Allah-u-Akhbar" (translated to "God is great"), in white, on the bottom of the green, and the top of the red field.
The roundel remains the same as used before.
The word "Allah" is applied also on a number of F-5 Tiger IIs on the top of the fin, and undersides of the port (left) wing of IRIAF F-14 Tomcats.
Missiles and Rockets
Air-to-Air missiles
Air-to-Surface missiles
Surface-to-Air missiles
- Raytheon MIM-23 Hawk (also used on the F-14 as and air to air missile)
- Tor Missile System
- S-200
- S-300 (S-300PMU-1 and S-300PMU-2)
- Misagh-1
- Misagh-2
- RBS-70
- SA-7 Grail
- SA-16 Gimlet
- SA-18 Grouse
and many other American & Russian Rockets
See also
- Islamic Republic of Iranian Armed Forces
- List of Iranian Air Force aircraft
- List of Iranian Air Force Bases
- Iranian Air Force in Iran-Iraq war
References
- ^ BBC News, mentioned in article
- ^ DEBKAfile DEBKA Reports: Iran buys 250 long-distance Sukhoi fighter-bombers, 20 fuel tankers, from Russia1 August 2007
- ^ Navy Times Reports: Iran may buy 250 jets from Russia 1 August 2007
- ^ defensetech Iran's New Fighter? 2 August 2007
- ^ Yossi Melman. "Iran to buy from China 24 fighter jets based on Israeli technology" Haaretz, 24 October 2007.
- ^ Kommersant. "Iran buys Israeli fighter jets" RIA Novosti, 23 October 2007.
- ^ RIA Novosti - Opinion & analysis - What the Russian papers say
- ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2008, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 28 2008.
- ^ globalsecurity.org
- ^ Beriev A-50 Mainstay, Air Forces Monthly, August 2008 issue, p. 95
- ^ WorldwideStandard.com: Enabling Iran
- ^ JCSS
- ^ "Iran Bolsters Su-25 Fleet, Jane's.
External links
- IRIAF Photos
- Iranian Air Defence
- Iranian Military Pictures & videos
- Video of the Iranian Air Force
- The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force - IRIAF
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