Iranian Air Force (IRIAF/IRGC-ASF) | News and Discussions

[Piet]

Be wary of Wikipedia experts.

Indeed. I usually try for a supporting source to verify (it).

Iran has already demonstrated a red radar, which is an AESA radar for the Kowsar.

I must have missed it. Do you have a link for me.

In my opinion, the F-5's airframe and configuration make it a universal platform with many options at a reasonable price. This modernized aircraft becomes a superb aircraft for attack support and other operations.

It's also quite clear that engineers are learning a lot from Yak-130 components. Iranian engineers have a great talent for copying and improving things.

No argument here.

I also suspect the Chinese have transferred fighter jet radars to Iran.

Which I take was the now present Bayyenat-1 and -11 PESA radar.

And I think the F-313 project is the one making the most technological progress; it's a long-term project that has been underway for years.

Problem is, while important hard - and - software advances are certainly being achieved, when will this ever be turned into FOC? Iran does not have much time left for niceties

Piet.

 

[Piet]

Now, had it been a newly built Kowsar, they could have Searched and Track an F-15I at around 120 KM, could launch a jamming attack on its radar, could exchange the tracked information with HIMAD/SHORADs on ground or UCAVs in sky.

Moving towards the Pakistani-Chinese setup which performed so impressively recently against the IAF. What Iran dearly needs are spysats and secure comms satellites. Both of which will either be launched by Russia, or by Iran self. Once again, COMSEC will be front and center. Bitten once .... .

Kowsar program died a terrible death due to budget cuts though.

I sometimes wonder where a laissez faire attitude ends, and gross incompetence starts?

This is why I believe YAK-130M/M2 should be purchased with full gear of R-73M and R-77. As much as they can, because these light fighters can create rings of air defence over cities while in peace time which is like always, they are training pilots for combat. YAK-130M/M2 should be purchased around ~70 airframes at least to replace the entire Iranian/American built Tiger fleet.

Finally, things appear to begin coming together for a credible F-5 et al replacement. No doubt, a YAK-130 as equipped and loaded out as above, would be a thorn in any aggressor's side with such modes of operation as ambush attack and as point-defence.

Piet

 

[Piet]

Aviation week is saying that Iranian YAK-130 order is 36 airframes strong. Kinda reliable Iranian aviation OSINT have said in recent past that 18 have already arrived with their own light combat suite. I guess local F-5 production has been completely bundled up in favor of YAKs.

Almost definitely. See also my previous reply.

Piet

 

[sahureka2]

According to this article from the media United24, later reported by Army Recognition, it states:
Russia is secretly building Su-35 fighter jets for Iran, as recently obtained documents prove. This supply could equip Tehran with up to 50 advanced aircraft by 2027, potentially reshaping regional security.

Russia Is Building Su-35 Fighter Jets for Iran—Secret Files Reveal the Numbers and Delivery Timeline

Iran may receive up to 50 Russian Su-35 jets by 2027. Such delivery would boost its air power and pose serious regional risks.

united24media.com

Leaked files confirm that Russia is producing the first 16 Su-35 fighter jets for Iran

Leaked Russian letters show 16 Su-35 jets for Iran already in production, revealing payments, schedules, and a push to deliver all aircraft by 2027.

www.armyrecognition.com

 

[Deino]

…
I suspect that the Chinese would have had interest in its hard and software. Possibly with an eye to gain some alternative, or improved insights, that could assist them in the development of their own AESA FCR.
…

For what purpose? The Chinese AESA radars are Aeons away from Irans technology, there is No interest in anything but to maybe sell their own ones.

 

[Deino]

According to this article from the media United24, later reported by Army Recognition, it states:
Russia is secretly building Su-35 fighter jets for Iran, as recently obtained documents prove. This supply could equip Tehran with up to 50 advanced aircraft by 2027, potentially reshaping regional security.

Russia Is Building Su-35 Fighter Jets for Iran—Secret Files Reveal the Numbers and Delivery Timeline

Iran may receive up to 50 Russian Su-35 jets by 2027. Such delivery would boost its air power and pose serious regional risks.

united24media.com

Leaked files confirm that Russia is producing the first 16 Su-35 fighter jets for Iran

Leaked Russian letters show 16 Su-35 jets for Iran already in production, revealing payments, schedules, and a push to deliver all aircraft by 2027.

www.armyrecognition.com

Armyrecognition is Not a source, it’s a Collection of rumours … better ignore it

 

[Piet]

For what purpose? The Chinese AESA radars are Aeons away from Irans technology, there is No interest in anything but to maybe sell their own ones.

I have no definitive answer to the above.

Even where the Chinese radars are indeed superior to the AN/AWG-9, it could have yielded intel such as preventing China from having to reinvent the wheel, by way of speaking.

The other determinations are as I wrote above.

Piet

 

[Deino]

I have no definitive answer to the above.

Even where the Chinese radars are indeed superior to the AN/AWG-9, it could have yielded intel such as preventing China from having to reinvent the wheel, by way of speaking.

The other determinations are as I wrote above.

Piet

Why should they be interested? They have capable AESA radars, anything on what Iran could actually only dream of ... so why should they make a mistake and as such this intel helps "preventing China from having to reinvent the wheel", when they are no longer in the stage of "inventing" and as such maybe "reinventing" but in fact leading the pack and mass-producing them?,

 

[Piet]

Why should they be interested? They have capable AESA radars, anything on what Iran could actually only dream of ... so why should they make a mistake and as such this intel helps "preventing China from having to reinvent the wheel", when they are no longer in the stage of "inventing" and as such maybe "reinventing" but in fact leading the pack and mass-producing them?,

I was thinking about when China made the attempt to access the f14 radar, and what the state of its own radar developments were at that time.


Piet

 

[Deino]

I was thinking about when China made the attempt to access the f14 radar, and what the state of its own radar developments were at that time.


Piet

Ok, that makes sense but I think it would then be more for academic reasons than for gaining any input in their own latest systems.

 

[Comandante]

I hope everyone is aware that the Yak-130 does not have radar.

 

[ToddE]

I hope everyone is aware that the Yak-130 does not have radar.

Yak-130M/M2 have BARS-130 AESA radar. With R-73M+R-77 they can easily take on incoming drones/loitering munitions, SOWs/ALCMs.

IRIAF either invests heavily in YAK-130M or builds 100 Kowsars for this role. Seems like YAK-130 is already winning the role if initial order of 36 is true. They can later order another 30-40 airframes as CKD and F-5 fleet + Kowsar project can RIP.

 

[ToddE]

Moving towards the Pakistani-Chinese setup which performed so impressively recently against the IAF. What Iran dearly needs are spysats and secure comms satellites. Both of which will either be launched by Russia, or by Iran self. Once again, COMSEC will be front and center. Bitten once .... .

There is a proper plan for "Soleimani" LEO constellation. They will need to put ~100 sats in LEO to create a viable system. Iran has been firing LEO SLVs for 20 years now. Technically speaking with right kind of investment and ISA+IRCGASF joining forces this can be achieved in 5-8 years.

I sometimes wonder where a laissez faire attitude ends, and gross incompetence starts?

IAIO + IRIAF is run by corrupt most clowns you can find in Iran. Force should have been given to IRGCASF years ago for this reason.

Finally, things appear to begin coming together for a credible F-5 et al replacement. No doubt, a YAK-130 as equipped and loaded out as above, would be a thorn in any aggressor's side with such modes of operation as ambush attack and as point-defence.

Piet

Make no mistake, Kowsar or YAK-130 are ATs/CAS. They can act as CAP if datalinkined with UCAVs, Airsuperiority fighters, AWACS/IADS but do not expect them to do anything else. Kowsar has better capabilities than YAK-130M but the project is done.

 

[ToddE]

Just so: -

View attachment 162631

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/iranian-electro-optical-and-infrared-sensors.670769/TIC-S-2 IIR.​

This sensor was (also) judged as being capable of fitting into a Saeqeh-like front - end. Its range is 150km head-on and 300km for departing targets.

Great find, I mean Khordad system uses it, same company can built IRST for fighters too.

So, as I have written elsewhere, there may still exist a modicum of production means for Azarakhsh-II, Azarakhsh-I. J-7N/E and Chinese components and radar for Kowsar. Which is or is not a dead duck (no pun intended).

Entire combat suite came from China, they also built Azarakhsh-I in late 90s under Project Silk Route I (3 prototypes confirmed), ~50 % locally built F-5E/F with J-7N/E avionics and armaments. They were supposed to build Azarakhsh-II in 2000s with FC-1 like capabilities. Chinese left in 2006 due to US pressure after Ahmadinejad opened his mouth against Israel. Iranian local IAIO was contracted to complete the Azarakhsh-II. They obviously changed things to more of an AT/CAS based upon experiences in Syria.

Here is an amusing twist, some OSINTS say 30 Azarakhsh were built and are operated as F-5E/F of IRIAF. If you remember, pictures of pilots who died with Yasin AT crash came out on social media, standing in front of F-5E in bunkers with just one cannon and newly looking canopy. Safe to say, F-5 is as much Iranian as much as it was American.

But IRIAF will now be just YAKS, MIGS, SUKHOIS. Good riddance I will say for Shahi fleet.

I suspect that the Chinese would have had interest in its hard and software. Possibly with an eye to gain some alternative, or improved insights, that could assist them in the development of their own AESA FCR.


Agree.

Piet

In 1980s-90s they could have been interested, but not later. Chinese tech suddenly jumped miles above in 2000s. They suddenly could produce KLJ-7/10 from producing 3rd gen SY-80 FCRs. Western tech stolen or not, they built it in China. Iran is unfortunately still looking for this breakthrough in manned aviation.

 

[Flotilla]

But IRIAF will now be just YAKS, MIGS, SUKHOIS. Good riddance I will say for Shahi fleet.

Agreed in everything. Just let me add that F5/Kowsar has its niche.
Instead of putting those Yak130 in QRA alert in Mehrabad, they could do it easier with Kowsar and Azarakash IR missiles.
It is faster and it is combat capable with visual range IR missiles. Yak 130 should be just for training and OCU (operational conversion unit) to jump from Kowsar to Mig29 or even Su35. Even Kowsar have a gun to fight those insidious drones in contrast to Yak130.