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

[ToddE]

IRIAF should have bought F-22 and B-1s in the thousands. What idiots!

Offcourse goober, IRIAF did not purchase or made anything so following happened:

- Iranian airspace was breached on multiple occasions, IRIAF could not stop it. Iranian enemies took out IRIADF assets, freely roamed around within 100-200 KM of Iranian borders unchallenged firing ALBMS, ALCMs at OTHs, Batteries, killing Iranian soldiers because Saegheh is F-18, Qaher is a real jet and 100s of Kowsars controlled by AI exist in imaginary world.
- When you do not have the means to hurt enemy back, enemy has no reason to play by the rules with you. Iranian Generals, bases, soldiers were butchered on official duties by enemy from air and Iran could not do a damn thing to avenge or save them because Iran has no means to do so. Enemy kept gaining upper hand in the air. Iranian allies were taken out one by one but Iran could not do anything in return. Now Hezbollah has been castrated, Hamas is dead, Assad is gone. 100 Billion USD wasted, Iranian generals and soldiers massacred but hey lets just all cheer corruption and incompetence.

By repeating the sponsored propoganda, you people are doing no service to Iran, you are in fact endangering it by letting the corrupt, incompetent authority figures get away with their misdoings to the nation.

The F-4 Super modify or improve its asset, It's reality!

The Kowsar using elements of the AI with the drones are factual. You do science from Wikipedia, you know nothing in fact, but in the very near future you and some people here will be humiliated by the facts. The IRIAF is boiling a lot and we are starting to see results.

Iran has been demonstrating for a few weeks that their military industry is very active with lots of announcements and it's not over. You have to be very blind and in very bad faith not to see the results from week to week.

No, you have no news for me, you are just in your pathological narcism but you don't know much in fact.

Sorry but this sentence:

- These people have NO understanding of modern warfare. -

This is the stupidest statement I have ever made since I started on the old forum. Even a clown in a circus wouldn't have dared to say that because it's so far from the truth.

The Qahers 60% drone version is here and you're shaking in your underwear to see them fly. The piloted version, we'll see it soon and once again, you'll be humiliated

F-4SM boi strikes again

Kowsar the rebuilt Tiger from 1960s without pylons uses AI

Qaher is not a PR stunt RC toy

Either you are General Salami (The Iranian version of Bob of Baghdad) burner account or you are just a real life clown who should not be allowed to post on a serious defence forum.

Thanks for your input, yeah Mobin seems like an incredibly stupid missed opportunity. Everybody and their dog has ALCMs now, and they have proven their worth. ALCMS and ALBMS are the must haves now for any serious airforce.

Iran does have a range of ALCMs and ALBMs. F-4E/D "Dowran" fires a mean combination of Ghader, Kowsar, Nasr AShCMs. It possibly also fires Ya-Ali LR-LACM upto 700 KM. SU-24MK has been seen with "Asef" Long range AL-LACM which is probably Soumar/Hovezeyh CM (Iranian version of KH-55). IRGCAF's upgraded SU-22M3/M4 have been seen with ALBMs.

The problem is obsolete tech. None of the ALCMs are stealth or low RCS, none of them are proper supersonic. Ghader probably is supersonic in terminal phase but thats not enough to dodge modern CIWS or SHORADS. Mobin project could have given IRIAF or IRGCAF a stealth SOW and knowing Iran, once a tech is adapted and normalized, the Iranian engineers will push it to extremes. 10-12 years ago no one would have predicted Iran making long range TV'ed Datalinked HIMADs or using Hypersonic glide MaRVs in the battlefield. So instead of a bunch of subsonic long range cruise missiles adaptation of Mobin could have changed the direction of Iranian SOWs/PGMs. As always, the focus was on meaningless projects like the horrendous Yasin AT.

Iran possesses quasi ballistic or skip glide Kheybar Shikan and Fattah Hypersonic missiles. KS has existed for years now, why has it not been adapted as ALBM. These missiles were unstoppable by the entire Israeli layered IADS. The Israeli AF silently moved ahead of Iran with their MaRVed ALBM program, they demonstrated the effectiveness during the operation but IRIAF, despite having IRGCAF's modern most missile tech, has not got any benefit out of it, which is why I always say that IRIAF should have been long given to IRGCAF or atleast managed by them.

To the list above one can add iirc 2 A-50AEWs, intended to be ordered at the same time with the 24 MiG-27 and 12 Tu-22Ms. In more recent times, do you remember about the rumours for Su-27SMs (which you mentioned) and some Su-30s (the Belarus ex-indian ones?) at the time Iran gave Iraq back the Su-25s (iirc 2014), how many of the Su-27/30 were rumoured?

But yeah, overall, nevermind the fact that nothing could be brought from Russia due to first the corrupt alcoholic Yeltsyn and then even Putin caving in to US pressure, the fact that Iran couldn't get at least some airframes on the black market is astonishing, such as the moldavian MiG-29 or other airframes from Belarus, Ukraine, any of the ex-soviet 'Stans or even Russia itself. DPRK despite it's limited resources still got some extra MiG-29s and MiG-21bises, Syria got some extra MiG-23MLDs as well as upgrades for MiG-29 and Su-24 plus extra airframes for both etc.

All correct but remember one thing. IRIAF may have become a dumpster fire recently but it was once a glorious force that has given Aces of aces pilots. It is probably the only Air Force in the world with multiple 4th generation aircraft Aces of Aces. So this force was accustomed to using western tech and rejected or looked down on the Sino-Russo planes. They were forced to buy MIG-21F from East Germany, but refused it, later a rather large order of F-7N in 90s, but hated the plane. They also refused to adapt MIG-23/27 that came from Iraq, instead, war veteran pilots (Naghdibek) got more interested in Mirage F,1 which is again western tech. So despite the budget cuts and clown-like policies of decision makers, the pilots still had a tradition of chasing western fighters. If we go by journalistic reports/rumors, IRIAF pilots rejected or disliked Mig-21F/F-7N, MIG-23ML/27, SU-22M3/M4. Just recently they rejected J-10A/B and SU-27SM3 in favor of SU-35S.
Remember all these years, Iran ran smuggling rings to procure parts for its US origin fleet or investing in domestic upgrades and maintenance ecosystems instead of ordering 3rd-Early 4th generation Sino-Russian planes. Force like American fighters.

 

[Kyussis]

Offcourse goober, IRIAF did not purchase or made anything so following happened:

- Iranian airspace was breached on multiple occasions, IRIAF could not stop it. Iranian enemies took out IRIADF assets, freely roamed around within 100-200 KM of Iranian borders unchallenged firing ALBMS, ALCMs at OTHs, Batteries, killing Iranian soldiers because Saegheh is F-18, Qaher is a real jet and 100s of Kowsars controlled by AI exist in imaginary world.
- When you do not have the means to hurt enemy back, enemy has no reason to play by the rules with you. Iranian Generals, bases, soldiers were butchered on official duties by enemy from air and Iran could not do a damn thing to avenge or save them because Iran has no means to do so. Enemy kept gaining upper hand in the air. Iranian allies were taken out one by one but Iran could not do anything in return. Now Hezbollah has been castrated, Hamas is dead, Assad is gone. 100 Billion USD wasted, Iranian generals and soldiers massacred but hey lets just all cheer corruption and incompetence.

By repeating the sponsored propoganda, you people are doing no service to Iran, you are in fact endangering it by letting the corrupt, incompetent authority figures get away with their misdoings to the nation.



F-4SM boi strikes again

Kowsar the rebuilt Tiger from 1960s without pylons uses AI

Qaher is not a PR stunt RC toy

Either you are General Salami (The Iranian version of Bob of Baghdad) burner account or you are just a real life clown who should not be allowed to post on a serious defence forum.



Iran does have a range of ALCMs and ALBMs. F-4E/D "Dowran" fires a mean combination of Ghader, Kowsar, Nasr AShCMs. It possibly also fires Ya-Ali LR-LACM upto 700 KM. SU-24MK has been seen with "Asef" Long range AL-LACM which is probably Soumar/Hovezeyh CM (Iranian version of KH-55). IRGCAF's upgraded SU-22M3/M4 have been seen with ALBMs.

The problem is obsolete tech. None of the ALCMs are stealth or low RCS, none of them are proper supersonic. Ghader probably is supersonic in terminal phase but thats not enough to dodge modern CIWS or SHORADS. Mobin project could have given IRIAF or IRGCAF a stealth SOW and knowing Iran, once a tech is adapted and normalized, the Iranian engineers will push it to extremes. 10-12 years ago no one would have predicted Iran making long range TV'ed Datalinked HIMADs or using Hypersonic glide MaRVs in the battlefield. So instead of a bunch of subsonic long range cruise missiles adaptation of Mobin could have changed the direction of Iranian SOWs/PGMs. As always, the focus was on meaningless projects like the horrendous Yasin AT.

Iran possesses quasi ballistic or skip glide Kheybar Shikan and Fattah Hypersonic missiles. KS has existed for years now, why has it not been adapted as ALBM. These missiles were unstoppable by the entire Israeli layered IADS. The Israeli AF silently moved ahead of Iran with their MaRVed ALBM program, they demonstrated the effectiveness during the operation but IRIAF, despite having IRGCAF's modern most missile tech, has not got any benefit out of it, which is why I always say that IRIAF should have been long given to IRGCAF or atleast managed by them.



All correct but remember one thing. IRIAF may have become a dumpster fire recently but it was once a glorious force that has given Aces of aces pilots. It is probably the only Air Force in the world with multiple 4th generation aircraft Aces of Aces. So this force was accustomed to using western tech and rejected or looked down on the Sino-Russo planes. They were forced to buy MIG-21F from East Germany, but refused it, later a rather large order of F-7N in 90s, but hated the plane. They also refused to adapt MIG-23/27 that came from Iraq, instead, war veteran pilots (Naghdibek) got more interested in Mirage F,1 which is again western tech. So despite the budget cuts and clown-like policies of decision makers, the pilots still had a tradition of chasing western fighters. If we go by journalistic reports/rumors, IRIAF pilots rejected or disliked Mig-21F/F-7N, MIG-23ML/27, SU-22M3/M4. Just recently they rejected J-10A/B and SU-27SM3 in favor of SU-35S.
Remember all these years, Iran ran smuggling rings to procure parts for its US origin fleet or investing in domestic upgrades and maintenance ecosystems instead of ordering 3rd-Early 4th generation Sino-Russian planes. Force like American fighters.

It really shows your character (or lack their of) when you call people you disagree with by names.

Iran was attacked by Israel( 2nd most sophisticated air force after the U.S) with 140 aircraft and all they managed to do was hit >20 targets in Iran with including one operational static long range radar sight and several S-300 fire control radars (killing 5) and you have people here acting like that is some humiliating failure on Iran's part. Considering Israel's own capability and the amount of Support given to the Israeli Mission by the U.S and its allies, that is a HUGE SUCCESS on Iran's part. If you cannot understand that, you have no business criticizing the likes of Sardar Salami!

 

[Piet]

< Snip>

The Qahers 60% drone version is here and you're shaking in your underwear to see them fly. The piloted version, we'll see it soon and once again, you'll be humiliated

Well at this stage I would not care if an MiG-31 Firefox is unveiled by Iran. Desert camo and all.

Anigrand 1/72 'MiG-31 Firefox' , by Peter Burstow

But I would gratefully accept the 25%--> 60% and finally the --> 100% version.




And there she is, or rather should be:-



Piet

 

[Mr Iran Eye]

Well at this stage I would not care if an MiG-31 Firefox is unveiled by Iran. Desert camo and all.

View attachment 105265

Anigrand 1/72 'MiG-31 Firefox' , by Peter Burstow

But I would gratefully accept the 25%--> 60% and finally the --> 100% version.

View attachment 105267


And there she is, or rather should be:-

View attachment 105268

Piet

The Supreme Leader seems to really enjoy what he sees on screen.

 

[Piet]

Iran has a very complicated and almost dysfunctional political system. Decision making is not the work of an individual, different power factions compete against each other for $ and influence. Even the supreme leader has to keep a balance which often results in no decision at all. IRIAF took the heaviest of the hits from this dysfunctionality among all of the military branches of Iran because like I said before majority of its most competitive commanders were KIA during the war and rest were purged or left Iran. Other branhces learnt to adapt the system. IRGCAF, AirDefence, IRIN, ISA, IRGCN etc all moved ahead and some are now globally top notch forces in their category but not IRIAF. One can ask why leadership never tried to find an alternative for failed deliveries from Russia in 90s. They could have explored Chinese options. Khatami's Iran was cozying up with the entire west, they could have capitalized that. Forget purchases, leadership never punished IAIO corrupt officers like that parvaneh guy for their PR stunts and claims that gave no results. Is SL, Majles, and MODAFL even aware that their funded Tazarve, Azarakhsh, Shafagh, Saegheh, Kowsar, Qaher, Yasin programs have given 15 flyable jets in 30+ years? then fanbois here moan when someone like Tom Cooper says that he finds it hard to believe that IRIAF was even allowed to purchase SU-35S and Yaks for billions of USD. So all in all, we can change faces but unless someone fixes the system and decision making, nothing will change. If Russia shows its true face to Iran once again after the Ukraine war is over and SU-35S deliveries are halted, which I feel will happen like before, does Iran has an alternative 4.5 gen air superiority fighter in sight?

Btw General Soleimani was a brilliant battlefield tactician only, world acknowledged and a legendary one nonetheless, but he was not a military strategist by any means. He, like the rest of the dinosaur generals in IRGC, Artesh also believed in militias + paramilitary units, human factor etc. An very wise battlefield commander but not somebody with strategic level vision to modernize the military.




The same website also provides an order cart for the missiles so I would not take it too seriously.

Depends upon which organization in Iran takes up the project (hypothetically). Fakour-90 comes from Shahid Babaie Missile Industries which previously provided Mersad AD missiles Shahin and Shalamche as well. They also gave AIM-54+ (overualed phoenix), Azaraksh HOBS, Herz and Ya-Zahra SHORADS. If they are awarded the contract, then maybe they can minimize the Fakour-90's seeker, ECCM, Nav-Comm into an AIM-7E2 body with more powerful motor to make a slim BVRAAM in R-77E category. But my question remains, for which aircraft will this missile be made for? Kowsar project seem done here if Yak-130M is acquired in higher numbers, IRIAF seems in no mood to order the Yasin AT either. YAK-130 may seem to reach ~30 as frontline AT and may even take up a role for LIFT/AT+CAS. Remember the entire fleet of MIG-29, SU-24, SU-30/35S pilots will have to be trained on this single platform.

Russian planes in Iran will have their own R-60/73/77/27/37 so I am not seeing any utility for Iranian slimmer BVR until they surprise us with actual Qaher Wingman flying which frankly I dont see happening. Fakour-90 (and Maghsoud), AIM-54+ (refurbished by same company), Fattar (refurbished+upgraded AIM-9J), Arash AIM-7 project if there ever was one beyond mockup, AIM-7E2 all are gonna be done with the American and Iranian planes in IRIAF retiring. Azarakhsh HOBS already has a role as SHORAD so it survived.



*RD-5000B ...

Typo

The Kowsar using elements of the AI with the drones are factual....

Kowsar contains an AI component specifically aimed at drones. This is likely in reference to the MUM-T system of Kowsar <---> UCAVS as noted by Emirzat.

Of interest also is that Iran had on 9th July 24 inaugurated the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Organization in Tehran.

 

[ToddE]

Iran was attacked by Israel( 2nd most sophisticated air force after the U.S) with 140 aircraft and all they managed to do was hit >20 targets in Iran with including one operational static long range radar sight and several S-300 fire control radars (killing 5) and you have people here acting like that is some humiliating failure on Iran's part. Considering Israel's own capability and the amount of Support given to the Israeli Mission by the U.S and its allies, that is a HUGE SUCCESS on Iran's part. If you cannot understand that, you have no business criticizing the likes of Sardar Salami!

ROFL, propoganda believers with blind devotion to politicians, have become so immune to humiliation that an enemy breaches national airspace, kills Iranian soldiers, destroys Iranian military assets and leaves unpunished and you think it's some success? Shahists and Mullah lovers are two sides of same coin after all. If Israel has modern equipment and superpower support, it means Israeli external diplomacy and internal decision making is winning wars for them. Why is Iranian diplomacy failing with the entire world? Why is leadership not interested in keeping the country's airspace guarded? why are they not arresting corrupt people who embezzled cash in product-less fake projects and ran away? wars are not only fought with equipment.

And please stop boosting Israeli Airforce to "2nd" in the world to hide IRIAF (and leadership) failures. Israeli AF is not even in top 8 when it comes to operational capacity. They operate from a tiny number of few bases, have limited airspace to vector their sorties from, which makes their missions quite predictable. Literally every single tom dick and harry on internet predicted how and from where they are going to hit Iran and everybody turned out to be right. Had IRIAF existed like other countries in region have their massive AFs, stopping Israel in the air or atleast bringing down few of their planes over Iraq was not some impossible task. Operation True Promise II showed IRGC can make a mess out of Israeli Airbases if need be. Had IRIAF played its role to guard Iranian airspace, Israel would have been completely humiliated both to guard itself against from IRGCAF strikes and by failing at retaliation. But because the Airforce has been crippled with budget cuts and corruption, Iran had to take the hits and leave silently with its airspace breached twice, its proxies gone. No amount of words and powerful speeches will change that. As an Iranian I cant be at peace with it, if someone can, then they are a coward and a traitor to the nation.

 

[ToddE]

Kowsar contains an AI component specifically aimed at drones. This is likely in reference to the MUM-T system of Kowsar <---> UCAVS as noted by Emirzat.

IAIO head talked of double duplex datalinking between Kowsar and UCAVs. If UCAVs are autonomously operating then its a MUM-T, otherwise just a plain datalinking between manned and unmanned aircrafts. An encrypted exchange of search and track information. I believe it's the later one. Effective nonetheless. Imagine a formation of 4 Kowsars with multiple linked A2A armed Karrars, Kaman-22 E-Warfare platforms etc. They can provide area coverage while heavier fighters can leap out freely.

IRGCAF SU-22M3/M4 also have datalinking with UCAVs btw.

 

[Fatman17]

Iran Has Long Lagged Behind Neighbors In Joint Fighter Jet Production

Source: Forbes
https://search.app/WdFs

 

[Mehdipersian]

Parts of 10 Sukhoi 35 have arrived in Iran,The assembly of 2 fighter jets is finished

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[Flotilla]

Something IRIAF could do (well, they did it once). It is buying via companies some VIP jets and convert them in ASW / ELINT / SIGINT.

It should be relatively easy to buy 4 or 6 of Falcon 7 / 900 and make conversion for very needed specialized versions.

Dassault Aviation confirme le succès du premier vol du futur avion de surveillance maritime "Falcon Albatros" - Zone Militaire

En janvier, des photographies d'un Falcon 2000LXS prises aux abords de l'aéroport de Bordeaux-Mérignac par un "spotter" ont été diffusées sur les réseaux

www.opex360.com

 

[Arash]

It really shows your character (or lack their of) when you call people you disagree with by names.

Iran was attacked by Israel( 2nd most sophisticated air force after the U.S) with 140 aircraft and all they managed to do was hit >20 targets in Iran with including one operational static long range radar sight and several S-300 fire control radars (killing 5) and you have people here acting like that is some humiliating failure on Iran's part. Considering Israel's own capability and the amount of Support given to the Israeli Mission by the U.S and its allies, that is a HUGE SUCCESS on Iran's part. If you cannot understand that, you have no business criticizing the likes of Sardar Salami!

Were did you get these stats, less than 6 or 7 targets were hit... additionnally Shitraël fired blind AS missiles due to Murmansk system jamming GPS and other guidance signals....

 

[mack8]

What to make of rumours that IRIAF Su-35s will be unveiled on March 19? Has anyone seen the Telegram page where the hint originated from?

https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2025/02/28/iran-hints-at-su-35-reveal-on-march-19-stirring-defense-buzz/

If they are in Iran already you'd think someone would post a picture, like it happened with the Yak-130. Or perhaps be visible in satellite pics? How tight can the security be?

 

[Persian Gulf]

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Iran badly needs something like this

 

[Kyussis]

Were did you get these stats, less than 6 or 7 targets were hit... additionnally Shitraël fired blind AS missiles due to Murmansk system jamming GPS and other guidance signals....

I was being generous with my ">20" but the satellite photographic evidence Is more than 6-7. I don't know how well GPS jamming worked. The targets hit were hit accurately.

 

[Piet]

Iran has a very complicated and almost dysfunctional political system. Decision making is not the work of an individual, different power factions compete against each other for $ and influence. Even the supreme leader has to keep a balance which often results in no decision at all.

If a country do not pull together as a whole, it will eventually pull apart - as a whole.

While I was still doing my day job I would always tell my people that the only thing worse than a wrong decision was no decision at all.

Other branhces learnt to adapt the system. IRGCAF, AirDefence, IRIN, ISA, IRGCN etc all moved ahead and some are now globally top notch forces in their category but not IRIAF. One can ask why leadership never tried to find an alternative for failed deliveries from Russia in 90s.

Obviously I do not know the 'lay of the land' politically or otherwise up yonder, so could it be that the modern IRIAF is still deemed to be politically suspect pertaining to its pre-1979 self?

Pertaining to an alternative, perhaps due to incessant in-fighting, jostling for positions of power, or the furtherance of contracts for the ‘right’ group or groupings. Nothing strange here, happens all over the world.

Hope that it will not take a seismic event like massive, specifically targeted, IAF airstrikes to peel the scales from some peoples eyes. Unfortunately that ship would have sailed by then.

. They could have explored Chinese options. Khatami's Iran was cozying up with the entire west, they could have capitalized that. Forget purchases, leadership never punished IAIO corrupt officers like that parvaneh guy for their PR stunts and claims that gave no results. Is SL, Majles, and MODAFL even aware that their funded Tazarve, Azarakhsh, Shafagh, Saegheh, Kowsar, Qaher, Yasin programs have given 15 flyable jets in 30+ years?

Lack of communication, circling of the wagons, jostling for positions of power, or the furtherance of contracts for the ‘right’ group or groupings. Nothing strange here, happens all over the world. Especially if the offending persons each have a 'get out of jail free' card. Cronyism at its best.

If Russia shows its true face to Iran once again after the Ukraine war is over and SU-35S deliveries are halted, which I feel will happen like before, does Iran has an alternative 4.5 gen air superiority fighter in sight?

Well, I think that most of the posters to this thread were secretly dreading Russia reverting to being Russia again. As for an alternative 4.5 gen air-superiority fighter, this does not exist at present. I say this in the context of a SU-27, -30, and -35 specifically. So, who is going to carry the can for this?

Btw General Soleimani was a brilliant battlefield tactician only, world acknowledged and a legendary one nonetheless, but he was not a military strategist by any means.

... So all in all, we can change faces but unless someone fixes the system and decision making, nothing will change.

Fully agree. Only when the system gets fixed will the road be open to appoint an ‘Armaments Czar’ who can kick recalcitrate butts and knock heads together .

But my question remains, for which aircraft will this missile be made for?

Good Q. See below.

Russian planes in Iran will have their own R-60/73/77/27/37...

Not sure what roles the R-60 and -27 would play in an AF largely comprised of SU-35; MiG-29 (-SMT); Yak-130 and SU-24. In this case I do not see a role for a slimmed down AIM-7E2 either.

so I am not seeing any utility for Iranian slimmer BVR until they surprise us with actual Qaher Wingman flying which frankly I dont see happening....

It seems that the case for a Qaher (60 or 100%) is picking up speed quite rapidly. However, I posit that R-77M could perform the role called for by a slimmer AIM-7, more than adequately.

Azarakhsh HOBS already has a role as SHORAD so it survived.

Good thing too. As Azarakhsh HOBS appears to be still evolving.

Should Iran be able to acquire the SU-35S Flanker E and R-37M's it would really have a first-class air superiority fighter. Up there with the best:-


R-37M and PL-17 are tied for 2nd place.

The king appears to be the:-
I saw one reference describing F-18@ AIM-174B as the 'Murder Hornet'.

Apologies for the less than sterling quality of these missiles. Usually I can get this stuff right without to much hassles.

Enjoy

Piet

*RD-5000B ...

Typo

Copy that.

The IRIAF will have to look at this subject again, and very carefully.

That defence catalog is at:-

https://www.mindexcenter.ir/

Piet