Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

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Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
نیروی هوایی ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران Nirvi-ye Hevayi-ye Artesh-e Jimhuri-ye Eslâmi-ye Iran
Imperial Iranian Air Force) February 1979; 45 years ago (1979-02) (as the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force)
Country	Iran
Type	Air force
Role	Aerial warfare
Size	37,000 (MEI 2011 estimate) [1]
Part of	Islamic Republic of Iran Army
Headquarters	Tehran
Nickname(s)	Persian: تیزپروازان "Fastflyers"
Motto(s)	Persian: بلند آسمان جایگاه من است "Skyhigh is my place"
Colours	Ultramarine blue
Anniversaries	8 February (Air Force Day)
Engagements	Anglo-Soviet invasion Joint Operation Arvand Dhofar War Iran–Iraq War Syrian Civil War Military intervention against ISIS
Commanders
Socata TB, HESA Simourgh

The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF;

History

The IRIAF came into being when the former

Due to strained relations with the west, Iran had to procure new equipment from Brazil, the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. Since the Revolution, the exact composition of the IRIAF has been 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

Since then the country has also become self-sufficient in the manufacture of helicopters. The country claims that it is capable of producing the U.S.

Iran–Iraq War (1980–88)

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 eight major Iranian airbases 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.

The Iranians retaliated on 23 September 1980 with

Iran proceeded to launch 58 F-5E Tiger IIs from Tabriz, which were sent to attack Mosul Airbase. After the attack on Mosul Airbase, another 50 F-5Es were dispatched to strike Nasiriyah Airbase, which was heavily damaged.

As all 148 Iranian F-4s and F-5s had been sent for a bombing raid on Iraq, 60 F-14 Tomcats were scrambled to defend Iranian airspace against a possible Iraqi retaliation. Iranian F-14s managed to down 2 Iraqi MiG-21s (1 MiG-21RF and 1 MiG-21MF) and 3 Iraqi MiG-23s (MiG-23MS); an Iranian F-5E also shot down an Iraqi Su-20 during the operation. Iraqi MiG-23s managed to down 2 F-5Es, while Iraqi MiG-21s also downed 2 F-5Es. The Iraqis also shot down one of their own Il-76MD strategic airlifters with a SA-3 SAM.

The Iraqis however were well prepared for the attack and had flown over most of their air force to other Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, this made sure that most of the Iraqi Air Force survived the operation.

Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi military were dealt a heavy blow when Iranian Air Force vulnerabilities failed to materialize. All Iraqi air bases' near Iran were out of order for weeks and, according to Iran, Iraq's aerial efficiency was reduced by 55%. This allowed Iranians to regroup and prepare for the upcoming Iraqi invasion.

Although the readiness rates of the IRIAF significantly increased in the following months, its overall role and influence declined, as the clerical government prioritized resources for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) militias and simultaneously attempted to develop a separate air arm for this service.

Despite limitations and sanctions, the IRIAF achieved a successful kill rate in air-to-air combat against Iraqi jets, to the point that in air-to-air engagements, Iran's kill ratio was roughly 5:1, which is only surpassed by the Israelis against Syria in 1982 and the US in the Gulf war in 1991. It got to the point where Iraq ordered its pilots to avoid air-to-air engagements (especially with the F-14).^[2] After the successful liberation of most Iranian areas captured by the Iraqis in the first half of 1982, the situation of the IRIAF changed completely. From an air arm that was offensive by nature, it was largely relegated to air defense and relatively infrequent bombing attacks against targets of industrial and military significance inside Iraq. Simultaneously, the IRIAF had to learn how to maintain and keep operational its large fleet of U.S.-built aircraft and helicopters without outside help, due to American sanctions. Relying primarily on antiquated equipment purchased from the US in the 1970s, the Iranians began establishing their own aerospace industry.

Starting from 1984 and 1985, the IRIAF found itself confronted by an ever-better organized 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 air bases, military bases, industrial infrastructures, power plants, oil-export hubs, and population centers. 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

In 2007, Iraq asked Iran to return some of the scores of Iraqi fighter planes that flew there ahead of the Gulf War in 1991.[6] And as of 2014, Iran was receptive to the demands and was working on refurbishing an unspecified number of jets.^[7][8] In late 2014, Iran returned 130 military aircraft to Iraq.^[9]

2000s

In 2006, after Iranian media published a series of reports suggesting that

According to

The IRIAF air fleet is aging, some aircraft are more than 40 years old, and this has led to several crashes.[16] On May 24, 2022 two Chinese-built Chengdu J-7 crashed east of Isfahan killing the pilots.^[17] A F-5F crashed into a school in Tabriz on February 21, 2022, killing both crew and a person on the ground.^[18] On June 1, 2021, another F-5F crashed near Dezful, killing both crew.^[19] Additionally, on 25 December 2019, an MiG-29 crashed in the Sabalan mountains, and on Aug. 26, 2018, an F-5F crash-landed near Dezful, killing the pilot and injuring the co-pilot.^[20][21]

Structure

Note: former outdated Jane's Sentinel estimate of units 1993 data (Source: Jane's Sentinel, Islamic Republic of Iran, 1993, – not complete) has now been replaced by newer 2019 data^[22][23]

The IRIAF's composition has changed very little since 1979. There have been limited relocations and unit disbandments in the late 1980s (F-4D/E and F-14 fleet at Shiraz and Mehrabad). Deployments during the war with Iraq were mainly of temporary character. A major reorganization of existing air-defense SAM and AAA units took place in 1985. There have not been any major reorganizations in the 1990s.

Equipment, capabilities, and performance also strongly influenced the development of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) in the 1980s, but also that of the United Arab Emirates Air Force, in the 1990s and the most recent times.

As of 2013 the Iranian authorities also changed the command structure (tactical air bases, military installations, civil airports) and this former status is not in effect any longer. Almost all airfields indicated of being of some strategic importance for contingency scenarios have now been made suitable for combined military and civilian usage. This is also in accordance with the fact that IRIAF only is operating small composite (easy to relocate at very short notice) units spread out all over the country instead of the former large fix-based units. Therefore, all combined airfields are accommodated with basic cross-service capabilities to handle all IRIAF aircraft. The main facilities for logistics and technical overhaul however remain concentrated at some larger airfields.

Iran has been under sanctions since 1979 and thus the country has become capable of servicing and overhauling its own military and civilian aircraft. However, less tension in the current (2015) international situation led to a decrease of the sanctions, and the Iranian government is now capable again in ordering a new fleet of civilian aircraft replacing the aged types.

Jane's 360 military capabilities assessment 2019

^[22][23]

Jane's Sentinel in 1993 (p. 27) listed TAB 1 at Mehrabad with six squadrons (F-5Es, F-7Ms, F-14/MiG-29, C-130H/

Current inventory

In 2007, Iraq asked Iran to return some of the scores of Iraqi fighter planes that flew there ahead of the Gulf War in 1991.^[32] As of 2014, Iran was receptive to the demands and was working on refurbishing an unspecified number of jets.^[33][34] In late 2014, Iran returned 130 military aircraft to Iraq.^[35]

Rumored future expansion plans

A 13-year long UN arms embargo imposed on Iran was lifted on 18 October 2020. Although there was speculation that when the arms embargo ended the Iranian Air Force would undertake an expansion and modernization program, this has not yet happened.^[36]

One of the most crucial aspects of this program, along with the personnel training and facilities construction, will be the purchase of the most advanced Russian and Chinese jets in considerable quantities. There have been rumors that the IRIAF would be interested in the following aircraft for its modernization program:

• Su-30: It is reported that Israeli defense officials were investigating a potential Iran–Russia deal, in which Iran would pay $1 billion for a dozen squadrons’ worth of Su-30 jets.^{[citation needed]} Iran and Russia have both denied this and have rejected these claims as propaganda.^[37][38][39] In a broadcast the Mehr News Agency a dozen Su-30s were seen on 15, 16 September 2008; further the report reads: "In this joint maneuver of the IRIAF and the AFAGIR which is called the 'Guardians of the Nations Skies' the Air Forces of Iran have tested domestically developed systems as well as newly purchased systems (from Russia and China)."^[40]
  The purchase of this fighter would improve Iranian air force capability significantly, as it would be able to cover almost the entire Middle East from the Iranian territory.
• Su-34 Fullback: Unconfirmed reports stated that Iran is considering the purchase of the tactical bomber in considerable numbers, once the arms embargo ends, in order to obtain a crucial tactical bombing capability over its neighbours, while replacing its older Su-24.^[41]
• Su-35: Iran is reportedly interested in this aircraft in order to obtain a crucial edge over its potential rivals in the region.^[42]
• 5th generation platform is well known, and reportedly it is interested in purchasing several squadrons once the arms embargo is lifted.^[43]
  The purchase of this combat jet, would give Iran a crucial advantage in air capability, as the IRIAF would be able to cover the entire Middle East from Iran (as far as Cairo and Yemen without refuelling).
• 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 home-grown 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."^[44]
• 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.
• Shenyang J-31: There are some unconfirmed rumours that Iran is interested in this aircraft as a 5th generation complement for its Su-57 purchases, once the arms embargo is lifted.^[45]

• Beriev A-100
• Ilyushin Il-78
• HESA Simourgh

Facilities

Tehran

Hamadan

Tabriz

Dezful

Omidiyeh

Bushehr

Shiraz

Isfahan

Bandar Abbas

Chabahar

Birjand

Zahedan

Mashhad

Kermanshah

Kerman

Masjed Soleyman

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Location of major air bases in Iran

In the last several years^[when?] 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 17 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.

Major operations

• Iran–Iraq War
  • Operation Kaman 99, Iran's biggest air raid during the Iran–Iraq war with a strength of more than 140 aircraft.
  • Operation Scorch Sword, an Iranian airstrike on an Iraqi nuclear reactor under construction.
  • H-3 airstrike, The IRIAF's boldest operation in Iraq.
  • Operation Morvarid, a successful joint operation by the IRIAF and the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy in the Persian Gulf against the Iraqi Air Force and Navy.
  • Operation Sultan 10, an operation to disrupt delivery of new French fighter planes to the Iraqi Air force and the associated training of personnel, during the Iran–Iraq war.

See also

• Flying ace
• F-14 Tomcat operational history
• Iranian aerial victories during the Iran–Iraq war
• Iraqi aerial victories during the Iran–Iraq war
• List of aces of aces

References

Notes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Air Force of Iran.

• Official site of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force