Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force 340 Aircraft
The IRIAF maintains approximately 340 fighter jets, comprising a mix of pre-Revolution Western aircraft, Soviet/Russian models, and indigenous designs. Despite decades of sanctions, Iran has developed significant maintenance and modernization capabilities to keep its aging fleet operational.
Primary Combat Aircraft
F-14 Tomcat 30-40 operational
- Origin: United States (acquired 1974-1978)
- Modernization: Indigenous avionics and Fakour-90 missiles
- Role: Air superiority/interceptor
- Challenges: Spare parts scarcity, airframe fatigue
MiG-29 Fulcrum 40-50 operational
- Origin: Soviet Union/Russia
- Variants: MiG-29A/UB, some upgraded to S standard
- Armament: R-77, R-73 missiles
- Status: Primary air defense fighter
F-4 Phantom II 60+ operational
- Origin: United States
- Upgrades: New radar, HUD, and weapons compatibility
- Role: Strike/attack missions
- Notable: Used in Syria operations
Indigenous Aircraft Programs
HESA Kowsar
- Based on F-5E Tiger II
- Digital avionics
- Limited BVR capability
- 20+ produced
HESA Saeqeh
- Twin-tail F-5 derivative
- Improved aerodynamics
- 12+ in service
Project Shafaq
- Stealth fighter prototype
- Status: Development
- Unclear operational capability
Fleet Composition Analysis
| Aircraft Type | Estimated Quantity | Combat Readiness | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-14 Tomcat | 30-40 | 60-70% | Air defense |
| MiG-29 Fulcrum | 40-50 | 75% | Multirole |
| F-4 Phantom II | 60+ | 65% | Strike |
| F-5E/F Tiger II | 50+ | 80% | Light attack |
| Su-24 Fencer | 30+ | 50% | Strike |
| Indigenous (Kowsar/Saeqeh) | 30+ | 90% | Trainer/Light attack |
Operational Challenges
Fleet Limitations
- Aging Airframes: Average age over 35 years
- Spare Parts: Sanctions force local manufacturing
- BVR Capability: Limited effective beyond-visual-range weapons
- Training: Reduced flight hours compared to regional rivals
