Watch 'Battlefield Earth'.
Posted on 06/18/2025 9:03:00 AM PDT by whyilovetexas111
Despite media reports on a deal with Russia for the advanced fourth-generation fighter jets, they’re nowhere to be seen in Iran, despite Israel’s devastating air campaign. Russia’s much-vaunted Su-35 jets, fourth-generation aircraft that are, on paper at least, formidable, are nowhere to be seen in the skies above Iran despite the intense and ongoing Israeli air campaign. This is despite several reports over the previous two years that Iran would soon accept the Russian jets into service.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalsecurityjournal.org ...
SU-24 I believe.
Ah, yes. Thank you. The SU-35 is the next generation. The one that uses stronger Super Glue.
Iranian jets are for murdering Iranian villagers, not for facing a competent enemy.
the planes are (if they’re ever even reached Iran) in some storage place somewhere
the pilots aren’t stupid. they see that the Iranian dictatorship is “dead men walking” or rather, “dead men hiding in ratholes somewhere)
and
to go up against the IAF would be a hopeless and very short-lived gesture
“Pretty scary looking Iranian Jet”
Yes, Iran Has a (Fake) Stealth Fighter
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/yes-iran-has-fake-stealth-fighter-164019
I have the feeling that the regular Iranian air force (or any other unit) wants to die for the mullahs.
Ping
Unless you are Rey...
“Where are the S-400 antii-aircraft batteries Russia sent to Iran?”
many were blowed up october 2024, and the rest a week ago ...
according to grok3, there are essentially no modern flyable warcraft in the iranian air force:
The Iranian Air Force (Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, IRIAF) in 2025 is a diminished and outdated force, significantly weakened by recent Israeli airstrikes, international sanctions, and decades of limited modernization. Below is a detailed assessment of its current status based on available information:
Overview
Background: The IRIAF, formed in 1979 after the Islamic Revolution, inherited a large fleet of U.S.-built aircraft from the Imperial Iranian Air Force. However, sanctions, purges, and lack of access to Western parts have severely hampered its capabilities. It relies on aging platforms, some Soviet-era acquisitions, and limited domestic production.
Personnel: Approximately 30,000 personnel, down from higher numbers in previous decades due to purges and resource constraints.
Operational Capability: The IRIAF is considered a “badly dated service with limited capabilities,” primarily tasked with air defense and supporting ground forces. Its offensive potential is minimal, and it struggles to counter modern air forces like Israel’s.
Aircraft Inventory
The IRIAF operates a mix of aging Western and Soviet-era aircraft, with some domestically modified or produced platforms. Key types include:
F-14A Tomcat: Approximately 40–42 airframes remain, with around 41 in service as of 2023. Many are non-operational or partially mission-capable, used primarily for training or limited air defense roles. Recent Israeli strikes, including a confirmed attack on June 16, 2025, destroyed at least two F-14s at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, likely non-operational, marking a symbolic blow to Iran’s air force. Upgrades to the F-14AM standard include domestic avionics and weapons like the Fakour-90 missile, but their effectiveness is questionable.
F-4E Phantom II and RF-4E: These 1960s-era jets are among the oldest in service, with an estimated 60–70 still operational. They are used for ground attack and reconnaissance but are outdated and vulnerable. Israeli strikes have targeted airbases housing these aircraft, such as Noje Air Base in Hamadan.
F-5E/F Tiger II and HESA Saeqeh: Around 35 F-5s remain, some modified into the domestically produced HESA Saeqeh, a lightweight fighter with limited upgrades (e.g., dual vertical stabilizers). Their combat effectiveness is low due to age and limited technology.
MiG-29 Fulcrum: Approximately 18–22 MiG-29s, acquired from the Soviet Union in 1990 and supplemented by Iraqi defectors during the Gulf War, are used for air defense around Tehran. They are equipped with R-27 and R-73 missiles but lack modern avionics.
Su-24 Fencer: Around 24 Su-24MK ground attack jets, also acquired from Iraq in 1991, serve as Iran’s primary strike aircraft. They have in-flight refueling capability, extending their range, but are outdated.
Mirage F-1EQ/BQ: Approximately 10–15 Mirage F-1s, acquired from Iraq during the Gulf War, are used for air-to-air roles but have limited bombing capabilities.
Other Aircraft: The IRIAF operates a small number of utility and transport aircraft, such as the Cessna 185 Skywagon, Fokker F27 Friendship, and Shrike Commander 690, primarily for transport and maritime patrol roles.
Aerial Refueling: Iran’s sole KC-747 tanker and a KC-707 were critical for extending the range of its fighters. However, the KC-747 was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike on June 15, 2025, at Mashhad Airport, significantly reducing Iran’s ability to conduct long-range operations.
Recent Developments (2025)
Israeli Airstrikes (Operation Rising Lion): Starting June 12, 2025, Israel launched a large-scale air campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure, including airbases, nuclear facilities, and air defense systems. Key impacts on the IRIAF include:
Destruction of two F-14 Tomcats at Mehrabad Airport, Tehran, on June 16, 2025.
Strikes on airbases like Tabriz (2nd Tactical Airbase) and Hamadan (Noje Air Base), damaging hangars, runways, and radar systems, and disrupting operations of MiG-29, F-5, and F-4 squadrons.
Destruction of an aerial refueling tanker (KC-747) at Mashhad Airport, limiting the IRIAF’s operational range.
Israel’s claim of achieving air superiority over Tehran, indicating severe degradation of Iran’s air defenses and fighter capabilities.
Iranian Response: Iran has launched ballistic missile and drone attacks in retaliation, but its air force has not effectively countered Israeli air operations. Claims of downing three Israeli F-35s were denied by Israel, and the IRIAF’s limited operational aircraft have not been reported engaging in significant combat.
Air Defense and Challenges
Air Defense Systems: The IRIAF relies on the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force (split from the IRIAF in 2008) for air defense, using outdated systems like the Improved HAWK, SA-2, SA-6, and S-200, supplemented by modernized Russian Rezonas-N and Ghadir radars. However, Israeli strikes have targeted and damaged these systems, including radar stations in Tabriz and air defense sites near nuclear facilities like Fordow.
Modernization Efforts: Iran has developed domestic systems like the Bavar 373 and tested a loitering surface-to-air missile (358) in 2025, but these are insufficient to counter advanced threats like Israel’s F-35I stealth fighters. Sanctions continue to limit access to modern aircraft and parts.
Failed Acquisitions: Plans to acquire Russian Su-35 fighters have not materialized, with some aircraft reportedly redirected to Algeria. This leaves the IRIAF without modern fighters to replace its aging fleet.
Operational Limitations
Sanctions and Maintenance: Decades of U.S. and international sanctions have forced Iran to rely on reverse-engineering and cannibalizing parts to maintain its fleet. This has resulted in low readiness rates, with many aircraft non-operational or in reserve storage.
Training and Expertise: Purges after the 1979 Revolution and subsequent retirements reduced experienced personnel, impacting operational readiness. The IRIAF’s ability to conduct complex operations is limited, as seen during the Iran-Iraq War and recent conflicts.
Vulnerability to Modern Threats: The IRIAF’s outdated aircraft and air defenses are no match for Israel’s advanced F-35I, F-15, and F-16 fleets, which have demonstrated the ability to operate with impunity in Iranian airspace.
Domestic Production and Drones
Iran has invested in domestic aerospace, producing lightweight fighters like the HESA Saeqeh and drones such as the Shahed series. In 2025, the IRIAF received 1,000 new drones, including variants of the Shahed, used for swarm tactics and one-way attacks. However, these are primarily operated by the IRGC’s Aerospace Force, not the IRIAF, and are more suited for asymmetric warfare than conventional air combat.
Strategic Context
Regional Role: The IRIAF is defensively postured, focused on protecting Iranian airspace and supporting ground forces. It lacks the capability for sustained offensive operations, especially against advanced adversaries like Israel or the U.S.
Recent Conflicts: The IRIAF has been largely ineffective in countering Israel’s 2025 air campaign, with Israel claiming control of Iranian airspace. Iran’s reliance on ballistic missiles and drones for retaliation highlights the IRIAF’s limited role in active combat.
Geopolitical Isolation: The IRIAF’s weaknesses are compounded by Iran’s strained relations with the West and the failure of its proxies (e.g., Hamas, Hezbollah) to effectively support it against Israel.
Conclusion
The Iranian Air Force in 2025 is a shadow of its former self, crippled by outdated equipment, recent Israeli strikes, and long-term sanctions. With key assets like the F-14 Tomcats and KC-747 tanker destroyed or degraded, and airbases and defenses heavily damaged, the IRIAF struggles to maintain even basic air defense capabilities. While Iran has invested in drones and domestic production, these do not compensate for the lack of modern fighters or robust air defenses. The IRIAF’s ability to project power or counter advanced threats is severely limited, leaving it vulnerable in the ongoing conflict with Israel.
Who wrote that title (I know it wasn’t you)?
Wow, English must not be their native language...
Watch 'Battlefield Earth'.
Really?
😂😂
You must have seen the movie, it is the best example of animal skin wearing primitives gaining sudden fighter expertise and 1000 year old jets starting up, that I have ever seen in a movie.
I also like when some earth pilot jumps into an alien spaceship he’s never even been in and defeats the other alien space ships in dogfights.
Because their countries are 1500km apart?
That wing profile looks like the F-47.
Russia has delivered at most two Su-35s to Iran.
Israel has 45 F-35s and 240 F-15s and F-16.
The Iranian Air Force has demonstrated is only slightly more functional than South Africa's, which has less than a dozen working aircraft.
That was before Israel started Operation Rising Lion.
These are kind of really important details to not mention 🤔.
But then, since according to whois.domaintools.com, the "National Security Journal" is a year old and full of writers who write about national security while never having worked in it, perhaps this is not too surprising. 🙄
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.