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

[Abid123]

Well Iran will have to rethink their strategy around Air force

Should Lock in

(Short Term)

• J10C (4 Squadrons)
• JF17 Block III Thunders (4 Squadrons)

(Long Term)

• Bring in a Western Fighter Jet , Rafale seem like quite available these days (2 Squadrons)
• Supplement with Sukhoi-30 (2 Squadrons)

Indigenous Development

• Keep a separate program for a light Medium , fighter Jet produced Locally

Need minimum deterrence

Rafale to Iran? Are you ok?

 

[Nuffle]

Well Iran will have to rethink their strategy around Air force

Should Lock in

(Short Term)

• J10C (4 Squadrons)
• JF17 Block III Thunders (4 Squadrons)

(Long Term)

• Bring in a Western Fighter Jet , Rafale seem like quite available these days (2 Squadrons)
• Supplement with Sukhoi-30 (2 Squadrons)

Indigenous Development

• Keep a separate program for a light Medium , fighter Jet produced Locally

Need minimum deterrence

I don't know how Iran's air commands are divided, but I'll divide them by regions:


Central region: 4 air bases
Northern region: 1 air base
Eastern region: 3 air bases
Western region: 3 air bases
Northwestern region: 1 air base

Sources:

Iran Air Fields

www.globalsecurity.org

Iran air bases, missile and nuclear related sites | Gulf States Newsletter

Revised September 2023, this map illustrates Iranian defence infrastructure. The locations of Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) bases, nuclear and missile and missile research sites are charted. The map is available as a PDF file using eps graphics, meaning that there is no loss of...

www.gsn-online.com

List of Iranian Air Force bases - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Let's say each region has its own air command and if we base it on the current air force:

FTR 138: 15 F-5B Freedom Fighter; 54 F-5E/F Tiger II;
18 F-7M Airguard; ε10 F-14 Tomcat; 35 MiG-29A/UB
Fulcrum; up to 6 Azarakhsh (reported)

FGA 73: 55 F-4D/E Phantom II; 2 Mirage F-1BQ; 10
Mirage F-1EQ; up to 6 Saegheh (reported)

ATK 29 Su-24MK Fencer D

There are 240 aircraft in service, which could mean between 10 (24 aircraft per squadron) and 20 (12 aircraft per squadron) fighter squadrons. Of course, this can vary, in Brazil we have up to 18 aircraft per squadron, if we were to base ourselves, there would be 13 fighter squadrons for Iran.

As I said, the Iranian Air Force can be created from scratch, because their aircraft are old and they can afford to ease logistics and improve readiness, in addition to the obvious greater capacity.

Iran urgently needs:
Interceptor/multirole aircraft: Su-35S or J-10CE. Whatever Iran gets is an incremental gain for the Iranian air force.

Air superiority aircraft: Su-57 or J-35A. It depends on who Iran manages to acquire, but it is essential that Iran acquires an aircraft capable of having some 5th generation capabilities for Iran to modernize its air force.

Attack aircraft: In my assessment, the best aircraft for Iran to acquire is the Su-34M. It can be configured to carry the munitions and missiles that Iran already produces, including developing air-launched versions of its ballistic missiles and hypersonic missiles, trying to reduce the weight and length to be used by the Su-34.

Of course, this would depend on other factors, such as advanced training aircraft, AWACS and the like, but for general purposes, this is my assessment, considering Iran's options. In my opinion, there are only two options, either run to China or to Russia, the French will not sell Rafale to the Iranians.

Interceptor/Multirole Aircraft: Su-35/J-10CE - 5-10 squadrons (120 aircraft)
Attack Aircraft: Su-34M - 1-2 squadrons (24 aircraft)
Air Superiority Aircraft: Su-57/J-35A - 1-2 squadrons (24 aircraft) may try to acquire more

Building such an air force will take time and money, something I am not particularly taking as a reference but I see the solution for the Iranian air force being this as the most viable path to building a modern air force compatible with its SAM capabilities which should also be expanded and improved.

 

[Sami_1]

Some leaks now appear to indicate that Iran, after the first day of strikes, lost 70 air defense batteries and directly purchased HQ-16 and HQ-17AE batteries from China. Some say Iran needs six months to train on these batteries. Iran does not possess CI4IR and CI5IR systems, nor integrated air defense systems. The main radars were attacked from the ground and by Israeli aircraft. You are dealing with a penetrated state trying to cleanse itself from within. Establishing an integrated air defense system requires two years to establish a network capable of countering air threats, and it is very expensive. To give a simple example, CI5IR systems cost billions and years to build. They may take two years. Egypt spends at least a billion dollars annually on purchasing air defense batteries and radars from several international sources, both Western and Eastern, for many years, just to maintain the system's readiness. There are leaks that Iran is currently contracting for squadrons of J-10C and JF-17 aircraft. Time is a very sensitive factor. Pakistan Acquiring J-10C aircraft. China has converted a number of J-10B aircraft and upgraded them to J-10C level before starting production for the first contract.

One of the countries that contracted for 40 J-10C aircraft will receive 12 J-10C aircraft from the Chinese Air Force after refurbishing them according to customer requirements. A squadron will then be delivered within a year and a half, and the entire deal will be completed within at least two and a half years.

The current production rate of the J-10C is 40 aircraft per year. There is a contract being completed for Pakistan and other contracts. Therefore, how will Iran obtain rapid delivery of J-10C fighters? The only solution will take months, such as acquiring J-10A aircraft, upgrading them with an AESA radar, and later replacing the engine with a WS-10 engine.
When the aircraft reach their overhaul rate, which also takes months, nothing will happen quickly unless they acquire aircraft from the Chinese Air Force and pilot Chinese pilots.
The production rate of the JF-17 aircraft does not exceed 24 aircraft, and there is a contract being completed for the third batch. For the Pakistani Air Force, unlike the Azerbaijan contract, rapid delivery is not possible. Even Pakistan's JF-17 Block III aircraft do not exceed 30 aircraft, and Pakistan's conflict with India is set to escalate at the end of the year. Therefore, Pakistan cannot risk sending aircraft it desperately needs. Rebuilding armies takes years and from several sources, not just one, two, or three countries. Even if China agreed to help Iran develop local systems or produce them under license, it would take a year to transfer technical knowledge and components to begin deliveries. If Iran had two years, we would have seen a significant improvement in its capabilities. However, Israeli and American plans will hasten the outbreak of war again for several reasons: closing the Strait of Hormuz, thus hindering China's need for Iranian and Gulf oil, as well as further European economic difficulties to hinder any growth in the European economy, making them succeed under the mercy of the Americans. Israel, all of its plans, failed, and emerged from the war wounded. Instead of appearing to be a dominant power, the world saw how Tel Aviv is being hit and the Jews are asking to stop the war even with what Iran has lost. The truce that has been reached now only means a breather for both sides. All the war goals for all parties have not ended. Up until this moment, China is the one who has won from the conflict between Pakistan, India, Iran and Israel. Do the Americans want China to gain?

 

[iblini]

As long as the air force and revolution guard are two separate systems, it's too difficult to developed anything, resources utilize wise, integration wise, command wise.

 

[PakAl]

In the meantime, it is becoming clearer that the problem is not the IADS, nor the missile force but the incompetence, failure in counterintelligence and defense against drones.

This cannot be fixed quickly. It's about selecting people on merit and training, joint training with foreign nations, building up your own fighting tactics etc. Iran should have done this long time ago.

 

[arsalan345]

Get some j-10c. Someone please train these Iranian pilots. I recommend 5 airbases on western front. Let them train on our f-7s. fly with us but not against us. Integrated systems takes time but pilot training is necessary. Go for hq-9. buy them in large numbers. Iran mut spend money now. Powerful airforce can annihilate any enemy.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Just Send 40 pilots in China Training School , and 40 Pilots in Pakistan , and fly back with planes from Chinese Factory to Iranian Airports

Full Squadron at a time

Just ask China to make

• 40 J10C
• 40 JF17 Block III or even Block II

Fly back after pilot training is completed in China

Send 20 Pilots to Russia Pilot Training School

• Fly back with Sukhoi 30, 20 Units

Problem solved

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Rafale to Iran? Are you ok?

France generally sells if Money is there , I think France is looking to make some sales so seems like a good avenue to explore as well

• 40 Units of French Rafale , might be possible
• Have good mix between Western Jets and Chinese Jets

Note my assumption here is French are looking for customers and there is no hidden agenda

 

[Abid123]

France generally sells if Money is there , I think France is looking to make some sales so seems like a good avenue to explore as well

20-30 Units of Rafale should be ok , to have good mix between Chinese-Western Machines

Dude no western country will sell to Iran.

 

[PakAl]

It's hard to believe that they didn't believe the attack was imminent after all the warnings that they had received from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
But then again, these idiots were sleeping in their apartments. So, you can never know.

People on PDF knew attack was coming on Iran, Israel even made threats. The reason is simple, zionist will take revenge for the missiles Iran fired at them and they did.

 

[PakAl]

I pray that Pakistan and China will allow the sale of fighter jets and awacs

6 KJ-500
100 JF-17
50 J-10CE
25 Z-10

It would be a good start, but still not enough for a country the size of Iran

@Persian Gulf

I suggest to immediately ban anyone that talks again about those "F-4AM+++" "F-14AM++" if Iran ever talks about that i'm giving up every hopes

Will not happen. If lucky Jf17 block 3s can come to iran so they can defend their airspace, that will be the best bet.

 

[Watandar]

People on PDF knew attack was coming on Iran, Israel even made threats. The reason is simple, zionist will take revenge for the missiles Iran fired at them and they did.

I read that Iranians were also expecting attacks, but not while there were negotiations happening with the US and with talks scheduled in a few days. Still a big mistake.

 

[PakAl]

AF wont be build in one day or even a decade if even equipment is being given it wont have the knowledge, expereince, training etc. It requries for real war. India wont train Iran, China will never, Turkey no way, Russia never in million years, and Pakistan would never ever due to Iran siding with India, many time backstab Pakistan, and creating terror proxies in BA.

Paf will train iranian air pilots. It's just training, nothing that will scare the Usa or Israel, even if Iran has 100 advanced trained pilots with Su35s, they will still not be a threat to the Usa and Israel, they're on a different level. The benefit for iran is atleast their airforce can hold attack for a few days and by that time ballistic missiles will be ready to be fired.

 

[Hack-Hook]

Well Iran will have to rethink their strategy around Air force

Should Lock in

(Short Term)

• J10C (4 Squadrons)
• JF17 Block III Thunders (4 Squadrons)

(Long Term)

• Bring in a Western Fighter Jet , Rafale seem like quite available these days (2 Squadrons)
• Supplement with Sukhoi-30 (2 Squadrons)

Indigenous Development

• Keep a separate program for a light Medium , fighter Jet produced Locally

Need minimum deterrence

a maintenance and logistic nighmare

 

[OldTwilight]

a maintenance and logistic nighmare

is this worse than current state of IRIAF !?

if we ignore Rafael, then it's ok , except we need at least 400-450 aircrafts , just like what we supposed to have under the shah.