AIR FORCE

AIR FORCE SUMMARY           

STRENGTH 30,000 (estimated) FIGHTER F-4, MiG-23, Mig-27, MiG-29, F-14A, Su-27 Bomber H-6D, Tu-22M CLOSE SUPPORT F-7M, F-5E, F6, Su-24, Su-25, Su-22 TRANSPORT C-130E/H, IL-76MD, F27

Assessment           

The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) has kept its fleet of US- supplied aircraft flying by black market purchases of spares which resulted in 18 US companies being investigated for breaching US export controls during the summer of 2003. In addition, the US has thwarted attempts to buy secondhand equipment from Russia and other former Soviet countries, forcing Iran to turn to China. In 2003, Georgia refused to supply Iran Su-25s as a result of US pressure. Later that year, Tehran hinted that it might purchase the Xian FB-7 and Shenyang F-8IIM strike aircraft and Jian Hang bombers, but none were ordered - although 14 Y-7 trainers were delivered.

Itemized deliveries are virtually impossible to confirm but they are known to have included at least 65 F-7M Airguard (a Chinese version of the MiG-21), with associated PL-2 and PL-7 air-to-air missiles, following earlier F-6 (MiG-19) deliveries. Iran also purchased 11 F-5E Tiger II aircraft and spares, declared surplus by the Vietnamese government, in mid-1991. A major windfall for the IRIAF occurred in early 1991, with the unexpected arrival of over 100 Iraqi Air Force aircraft fleeing to avoid destruction by the coalition air offensive during the Persian Gulf War.

It has become clear that most of the combat aircraft have been taken over for IRIAF use, although their current disposition and serviceability are unknown. Evidence that the ex-Iraqi Su-22 ground-attack fighters were being flown in Iran was confirmed in early 1993 when one collided in the air with an Iran Air Tour Tu-134B at Tehran, killing more than 130 passengers. It was understood that at least one MiG-29 was loaned to Pakistan in the 1990s for evaluation. The IRIAF originally put into service three ex-Iraqi Dassault Falcon 50 light transports, but these were transferred to the army in 1992-94. It now uses F27 aircraft in the light transport role and is also assumed to have retained the 15 civil-registered Ilyushin Il-76 freighters. Major spares packages for the remainder, however, apart from the Mirage F1 planes, the status of which is currently uncertain, are believed to have formed part of Iranian arms purchases from Russia and Ukraine. Additional MiG-23BN and MiG-27 aircraft appear to have been acquired.

Switzerland has apparently delivered additional PC-7 training aircraft since 1993. Personnel figures include 12,000 officers and other ranks allocated to air defense duties with missile and gun systems.

In 1990, the last of 25 Mushak piston-engined trainers ordered for the IRGC from Pakistan was delivered, in addition to approximately 22 MiG-17 trainers. In a significant development Iran announced in September 1997 that the Iranian Air Force had launched a production line for the Tazarve jet trainer and the country's first jet strike fighter, the Azarakhsh ('Lightning') which is to replace F-5s. Other combat aircraft projects include the Malek Ashtar University of Technology Aviation University Complex (AUC) Shafagh advanced attack aircraft, but the exact status of these endeavors is difficult to ascertain. In a more radical effort, single-seat F-5As have been converted by Hevapeimasazi (Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Company, HESA) into Simorgh two-seat trainers. It was also announced that production work would start on two Iranian-designed training aircraft, the jet-powered Dorna ('Lark') and the propeller-driven Parastu ('Swallow'). There is still insufficient data available to assess the potential capabilities of these new aircraft.

HESA is also responsible for manufacturing reverse-engineered components for the legacy F-4 Phantom, F-5 Tiger II and F-14 Tomcat US fighter aircraft in Iranian service. This work has enabled Iran to maintain these aircraft in operational service in spite of a US embargo.

The IRGC also has some air elements. It is not clear what combat formations exist within the IRGC, but the IRGC may operate Iran's 10 EMB-312 Tucanos. It seems to operate many of Iran's 45 PC-7 trainers, as well as some Pakistani-made trainers. It has also claimed to manufacture gliders for use in unconventional warfare. The IRGC has not recently expanded its air combat capabilities.

Iran's exercises, military literature and procurement efforts also make it clear that its air planners understand the value of airborne early warning and C4I systems, the value of airborne intelligence and electronic warfare platforms, the value of RPVs, and the value of airborne refueling. Iran has even sought to create its own satellite programme.

Readiness           

In spite of Iran's efforts, readiness and force quality remain major issues. The Iranian air force still has many qualitative weaknesses, and it is far from clear that its current rate of modernization can offset the aging of its Western-supplied aircraft and the qualitative improvements in US and southern Gulf forces (GCC states), especially the Saudi Air Force. The air force also faces serious problems in terms of sustainment, command and control, and training.

The Iranian air force lacks advanced training facilities, and has only limited capability to conduct realistic training for beyond-visual-range combat and stand-off attacks with air-to-surface munitions. Ground crew training and proficiency generally seem mediocre - although the layout of Iranian air bases, aircraft storage and parking, the deployment of equipment for maintenance cycles, and the other physical signs of air unit activity are generally better organised than those of most Middle Eastern air forces, which is largely due to its Shah-era affiliations with and training from the US Air Force.

As is the case with most aspects of Iranian military forces, estimates differ by source. Some estimate that the air force has 18 main combat squadrons. These include nine fighter ground-attack squadrons, with US-supplied F-4D/E and F-5E/FII, and Soviet-supplied Su-24. Iran had seven Su-25K and 24 Mirage F-1 Iraqi aircraft it seized during the Gulf War, and some may be operational. Iran had seven air defense squadrons, with US-supplied F-14, Russian/Iraqi-supplied MiG-29, and Chinese supplied F-7M.

The Iranian air force had a small reconnaissance squadron with three to eight RF-4E. It also operates five C-130H MP maritime reconnaissance aircraft, one RC-130 and other intelligence/reconnaissance aircraft, together with large numbers of transports and helicopters. Most Iranian squadrons could perform both air defense and attack missions, regardless of their principal mission - although this was not true of Iran's F-14 (air defense) and Su-24s (strike/attack) units. Iran's F-14s have not been able to use their Phoenix air-to-air missiles since the early 1980s. Iran has claimed that it is modernizing its F-14s by equipping them with I-Hawk missiles adapted to the air-to-air role, but it is far from clear that this is the case or that such adaptations can have more than limited effectiveness. With respect to its indigenously produced aircraft - such as the Shafaq and Tazarve - little is known about their quantity of performance.

The IRGC Air Force has an independent commander, appointed in January 1992. This force has been given priority to receive new equipment, following the initial formation of Chinese F-6 and F-7 combat aircraft squadrons. The IRGC is also reported to have taken control of some of the 45 Pilatus PC-7 trainers supplied by Switzerland. Iranian government policy seems to be aimed at integration rather than parallel development, so it is expected that the IRGC aircraft will be centrally managed with the IRIAF types.

Chain of Command           

On 5 October 2004, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Brigadier General Karim Qavami as commander of the regular air force, replacing Reza Pardis. Qavami oversees three regional air force commands, the Western Area Command, the Southern Area Command and the Eastern Area Command. The IRGC air wing is commanded by Brigadier General Ahmad Kazemi. The Iranian air force is headquartered in Tehran with training, administration, and logistics branches, and a major central Air Defense Operations Centre. It has a political directorate and a small naval co-ordination staff.

Organization           The IRIAF is organised on the basis of three regional commands, namely the Western Area Command (WAC), the Southern Area Command (SAC) and the Eastern Area Command (EAC). The WAC holds the bulk of the air force combat assets, with interceptors and/or close support aircraft based at Mehrabad/Tehran, Tabriz, Hamadan, Dezful, Uromiyeh (Urmia), Shiraz, Isfahan and Doshan-Tappeh/Tehran. Some of the squadrons based in the WAC have a particular focus on the air space along the sensitive frontier with Iraq. The WAC also covers the north of Iran and the region around the capital Tehran. The SAC covers air bases along the shores of the Persian Gulf, at Bushehr, Bandar Abbas and Chah Bahar. However, the air force operates its maritime reconnaissance aircraft, the P-3F, from the base at Shiraz, which is within easy reach of the Persian Gulf. The EAC has a focus on the border with Afghanistan, with Zahedan being the main air base in the frontier region. A number of tactical training squadrons also come under the aegis of the EAC. There are aircraft shelters in all operational airfields.

Estimates of the number of combat squadrons have varied greatly. On paper at least, there are 27 squadrons, according to data that emerged in 2001. These have been identified in terms of their home base and, in most cases, by unit number and aircraft deployed. However, it is unclear how many of these are fully active or up to full strength - one estimate suggests a figure of about 16 active combat squadrons. A complicating factor is that some aircraft in the F-7 fleet are reported to be operated by the air arm of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) or Pasdaran. It is not clear what combat formations exist within the IRGC, but the IRGC may operate Iran's 15 EMB-312 Tucanos. It seems to operate many of Iran's 45 PC-7 trainers, as well as some Pakistani-made trainers at a training school, but this school may be run by the regular air force. It has also claimed to manufacture gliders for use in unconventional warfare. The IRGC has not recently expanded its combat air capabilities.

Government aircraft           

In addition to a large transport element, mainly equipped with Western aircraft, the IRIAF oversees several paramilitary organizations that maintain and operate civil-registered transport aircraft and helicopters.

• Oil Research and Development Agency. According to IPTN Indonesia, this government flying unit has received five AS-332 transport helicopters.
• National Topography Organization. The National Topography Organization received five Do 228 aircraft in 1992.
• Iran Postal and Telecommunications Aviation. The Iran Postal and Telecommunication Aviation received four EMB-110P Bandeirante aircraft in 1992.

Air Force Bases           

Three primary air defense sectors have been identified:

Sector	Sector	Sector
Badl Sar Mashhad Shahabad Kord	Hamadan Dezful	Bandar Abbas Bushehr Jask

Role and Deployment           

Air defense forces           

IRIAF aircraft procurement plans for Russian material follow initial contracts placed with the USSR, which resulted in first deliveries of 14 MiG-29 aircraft in 1990. Taking into account ex-Iraqi aircraft, orders for the further 48 MiG-29 'Fulcrums' now planned will increase the IRIAF total to around 66, plus 24 long-range MiG-31 'Foxhounds'. Despite Iran's reliance on the MiG line, Russian aerospace firms and the Iranian government have attempted and failed repeatedly to reach an agreement over licensed production of the MiG-29.

Nevertheless, for the time being, the MiGs will provide the basis of an effective interceptor force within Air Defense Command, backed by the Mirage F1, if the necessary spares and training can be obtained from France. This order of battle is completed by the shorter range Chengdu F-7M aircraft. This air defense force, plus the ground radars and surface-to-air missiles, such as the Chinese-supplied HQ-2J surface-to-air missiles, will be integrated into the national C3I system.

With respect to land-based air defenses, there are no authoritative data on how Iran deploys air defenses, but Iran seems to have deployed its new SA-5s to cover its major ports, oil facilities and Tehran. It seems to have concentrated its Improved Hawks and Soviet and Chinese-made SA-2s around Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Bandar Abbas, Kharg Island, Bushehr, Bandar Khomeini, Ahwaz, Dezful, Kermanshah, Hamadan, and Tabriz. Total air defense holdings seem to include 30 Improved Hawk fire units (12 battalions/150+ launchers), 45-55 SA-2 and HQ-2J/23 (CSA-1) launchers (Chinese-made equivalents of the SA-2), and possibly 25 SA-6 launchers.

The air force also had three Soviet-made long-range SA-5 units with a total of 10 to 15 launchers - enough for six sites. Romania allegedly delivered ISA-6 SAMs and CUB anti-aircraft missiles in 2003. Iran has developed and deployed its own domestically manufactured SAM dubbed the Shahab Thaqeb. The SAM requires a four-wheeled trailer for deployment and closely resembles the R440 SAM. Iran's holdings of lighter air defense weapons include five Rapier squadrons with 30 Rapier fire units, five to 10 Chinese FM-80 launchers, 10 to 15 Tigercat fire units, and a few RBS-70s. Iran also holds large numbers of man-portable SA- 7s, HN-5s, and SA-14s, plus about 2,000 anti-aircraft guns - including some Vulcans - and 50 to 60 radar-guided and self propelled ZSU-23-4 weapons.

Iran has converted a Boeing 707-3J9C tanker/transport for SIGINT missions and to carry in-flight refuelling equipment, possibly derived from Israel. Reports that several Boeing 747F-131 airliners have also been converted to tankers have not been confirmed.

Iran is slowly improving its capability for joint land-air, and air-sea operations. Iranian exercises and statements provide strong indications that Iran would like to develop an advanced air defense systems, the ability to operate effectively in long-range maritime patrol and attack missions, effective joint warfare capabilities, and strike/attack forces with the ability to penetrate deep into Iraq, the southern Gulf states, and other neighboring powers.

Strike forces            TOP

Iran is understood, although this has not been confirmed, to have ordered a number of Tu-22M-3 'Backfire C' long-range strategic bombers from Russia or Ukraine. These will join a force of 24 ex-Iraqi Su-24 aircraft, which former IRIAF Commander-in-Chief General Mansour Sattari claimed had been deployed for service with a smaller force of MiG-27 and Su-22 aircraft. This gives Iran a formidable strike capability. The first Su-24 pilots graduated in August 1994.

In June 1997 it was reported that Iran had successfully test-fired two air-launched versions of the Chinese C-801K anti-ship cruise missile. US sources said the tests were conducted by F-4 Phantoms. There was concern that the missiles could pose a threat to US naval forces in the Gulf. US military sources pointed to the fact that Iran posed a '360 degree threat', with a combination of cruise missiles that can be fired from air, land and sea.

Maritime capability           

The IRIAF also has responsibility for maritime-reconnaissance and shore-based anti-submarine warfare, for which it operates two or three P-3F Orions and an RC-130 Hercules.

WESTERN AREA COMMAND

Base	Unit	Type
Tactical Airbase 1, Mehrabad/Tehran	11 Tactical Fighter Squadron	MiG-29
	12 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-5A/B
	83 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-14
	n/a Tactical Fighter Squadron	Su-24
	11 Transport Squadron	C-130
	12 Transport Squadron	C-130
	13 Transport Squadron	Boeing 707
	14 Transport Squadron	Boeing 747F
Tactical Air Base 2, Tabriz	21 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-5E/F
	22 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-5E/F
	23 Tactical Fighter Squadron	MiG-29
	Base Flight	AB 212, Bell 214
Tactical Air Base 3, Hamadan	31 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-4D/E
	32 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-4D/E
	33 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-4E
	Base Flight	AB 212
Tactical Air Base 4, Dezful	41 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-5E/F
	42 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-5E/F
	43 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-5E
Tactical Air Base 5, Umidiyeh	51 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-7M, FT-7
	52 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-7M, FT-7
	53 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-7M, FT-7
Tactical Air Base 7, Shiraz	71 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-5E/F
	72 Tactical Fighter Squadron	Su-24
	71 Transport Squadron	C-130
	72 Transport Squadron	C-130
	73 Transport Squadron	Il-76
	83 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-14
	Helicopter Transport Squadron	CH-47C, AB 212
	ASW Squadron	P-3F
Tactical Air Base 8, Isfahan	81 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-14
	82 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-14
	Base Flight	AB 212
Tactical Air Base 12, Doshan-Tappeh/Tehran	VIP Transport Squadron	AS-61
	Support Squadron	PC-6

SOUTHERN AREA COMMAND

Base	Unit	Type
Tactical Air Base 6, Bushehr	61 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-4D/E
	62 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-4D/E
	82 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-14
Tactical Air Base 9, Bandar Abbas	91 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-4E
	92 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-4D/E
	SAR Flight	AB 212
	Support Squadron	Hawk Commander
Tactical Air Base 10, Chah Bahar	101 Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-4D/E

EASTERN AREA COMMAND

Base	Unit	Type
Tactical Air Base 12, Zahedan	Tactical Fighter Squadron	F-6
Flying Training School (Tactical Air Base 11), Ghale Morghi/Tehran	Tactical Training Squadron	MFI-17
	Tactical Training Squadron	F33, Parastu
	Tactical Training Squadron	EMB-312
	Tactical Training Squadron	PC-7, S-68
	Tactical Training Squadron	PC-7
Tactical Air Base 7, Shiraz	Tactical Training Squadron	T-33, Dorna, MiG-17
Note: ·  Some of the tactical fighter squadrons outlined above may not be active, or up to full strength.

Inventory: Fixed Wing           

Type	Role	Quantity	In Service
H-6D	Bomber	6	n/a
Tu-22M	Bomber	n/a	n/a
F-7M	Strike	65	30
Mirage F1EQ (Impounded Iraqi aircraft)	Multirole Fighter	24	12
F-14A	Interceptor	79	20
F-4D/E	Multirole Fighter	76	65
MiG-23BN	Fighter	23	n/a
MiG-27	Strike	24	n/a
MiG-29A (Includes impounded Iraqi aircraft)	Fighter	35	35
Su-27	Fighter	26	Reportedly On Order
F-5E/F	Fighter	73	45
F-5A/B	Fighter/Training	33	10-20
F-7M	Fighter/Ground Attack	30	24
FT-7	Combat Trainer	5	5
F-6	Fighter/Ground Attack	20	16
Su-20	Fighter/Ground Attack	2	n/a
Su-22M	Fighter/Ground Attack	35	n/a
Su-24MK (Includes impounded Iraqi aircraft)	Strike	33	30
Su-25 (Impounded Iraqi aircraft)	Ground Attack	7	7
Azaraksh	Ground Attack	30 On Order	4
P-3F	Maritime Patrol	2	n/a
Shafagh	Fighter/Ground Attack	n/a	n/a
Il-76 (Impounded Iraqi aircraft)	AEW	1	1
RF-4E	Reconnaissance	15	6
Boeing 707-3J9C	Tanker/Transport	4	4
Boeing 707-3J9C	Transport	10	10
Boeing 747F-125/131 (Some converted to tanker)	Transport	7	7
Boeing 747-2J9F (Some converted to tanker)	Transport	4	4
AN-74TK-200	Transport	10	10
F27-400M/600	Transport	10	10
Y-12	Transport	9	9
Il-76MD (Includes impounded Iraqi aircraft)	Transport	15	15
C-130E/H	Transport	34	22
IAMI Iran 140	Transport	45	45
Boeing 737-286	Communications	1	1
F-28	Communications	1	1
Falcon 20E	Communications	1	1
L-1329 Jetstar 8/II	Communications	2	0
Commander 681B	Communications	3	3
PC-6/B	Utility	15	15
F33A/C	Training	26	20
EMB-312 Tucano	Training	22	15
PC-7	Training	45	45
Mushshak MFI-17	Training	22	22
Y-7	Training	14	On Order
Parastu	Training	7	7
T-33	Training	7	4
MiG-29UB	Training	6	6
Shahbaz (Dorna)	Training	4	4
MiG-17	Training	22	n/a
S-68	Training	n/a	n/a

Inventory: Rotary Wing           

Type	Role	Quantity	In Service
AB 206B	Liaison	2	2
AS-61A-4	VIP transport	2	2
AB-212	Support/Utility	12	6
Bell 214A/C	Support	30	20
CH-47C Chinook	Support	2	n/a
Shabaviz 206-1	Support/Utility	n/a	n/a
Shabaviz 2-75	Support/Utility	n/a	n/a

Inventory: Air Defense Systems           

Type	Role	Quantity	In Service
I-HAWK	SAM System	150	150
Rapier	Low Altitude SAM	30	30
HQ-7 (FM-80)	Mobile ultra-low-altitude surface-to-air missile system	n/a	n/a
HQ-2J	Low-High-Altitude SAM	60	45
HQ-23/2B	Low-High-Altitude SAM	n/a	n/a
Antey (SA-5) (1)	Medium-Altitude SAM	n/a	n/a
2K12 (SA-6) (1)	Medium-Altitude SAM	n/a	n/a
Shahab Thaqeb(2)	Low-Medium SAM	n/a	n/a
57 mm SZ-60	Automatic Anti-Aircraft Gun	50	35
40 mm M1	Automatic Anti-Aircraft Gun	40	20
40 mm L/70	Automatic Anti-Aircraft Gun	100	95
23 mm ZU-23-2	Twin Anti-Aircraft Gun	250	250
1.       Unconfirmed delivery. 2.       The Shahab Thaqeb SAM system is similar to the Crotale R440.