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

[ST1976]

So when IRI was wasting 500+ Billion USD on Arab militias to fight Israel, following happened to IRIAF on 200 Million USD a year budget in last 25 years.

44 FMC airframes of F-14 reduced to 12 within 10 years.
F-14AM Upgradation program abandoned after 2 airframes in 10 years.
MIG-29 upgrdation halted, still flies with MIG-23ML avionics + SARH BVR
SU-24MK upgradation halted, still cant fire LR-ALCMs
SU-22M3/M4 upgradation halted after 10 airframes despite having 40+
SU-35S purchase deal killed
F-4E/D Dowran upgradation halted after single squadron.
Kowsar Light fighter yielded 5 airframes in 8 years.
Saegheh Light fighter abandoned after 6 airframes over 12 years
Azrakhsh Light fighter abandoned after 3 airframes
Yasin AT seems yielded 2 airframes over 6 years (1 crashed)
Tazarve AT abandoned after crashes
Karrar interceptor never progressed to larger wingmen
Kaman-22 UCAV never got built in higher numbers
Low RCS Stealth Flying wings were never purchased by IRIAF
IrAN-140/HESA SImorgh Maritime Petrol/AWACS project never progressed.
Fakour-90 LRBVR bundled up after 100 missiles, 2 x F-14AM for them
Maghsoud LRBVR never got tested
Azarakhsh WVR HOBS never purchased, IRIAF uses non-all-aspect AIM9J
Arash Light BVR never built.

But Vahedi would tell us how hundreds of fighters were flying around Iran during war. IRGCAF saved IRI's face with reciporcating strikes in heart of Israel but had IRIAF been a regular airforce, they would not have allowed Israeli jets to even cross mid-Iraq from where they launch ALBMs. Result: 1000 Iranian civilians died. Mullahs did not think it through before they went on to murder IRIAF with budget cuts.



Man these IRI/Khamenei cultists are mentally sick weirdos of another level. As soon as you mention Iranian blood being spilled for nothing, they will start laughing like its funny. What happened to our society that this shameless behavior became part of Iranian soul under IRI. Just write few lines about death of Iranian civilians or soldiers in meaningless wars and see how laughing reactions start. Its almost like Iranian deaths gives them some kind of pleasure.

@Persian Gulf

we have report that our Mig29k version, placed on Indian AC, level or above "single engine" F16 block 52 version.

we already have infrastructure Mig29s in our countries. an upgraded version of "twin engine" Mig29s, like Mig29k of Indian AC, is more than enough for us to counter a Multi Role or Air Superiority aircrafts, both.
going for any new bird looks foolish while having a look on our already training on Mig29s for decades

 

[ToddE]

It's highly probable, that by having Iran complain the Russians over the slow delivery of the SU-35, they gave us a token gift, the MIG29-SMT......there are reports indicating the MIG-29 line was closed many years ago, so these are used MIG-29s, and it's safe to assume they're the SMT upgrade, because Russia only has the SMT in their current fleet. Now, how many did they give us? I'm guessing not many, perhaps 8-10 of them.

it makes no sense why more MIGs are required before taking care of old fulcrum fleet at home? I think this rant by MP was an attempt to take attention off the fact that IRI has once again been fooled by Russians in a "defence deal" like S-300PMU2 before. After SU-35S deal collapse, something was needed to silence the roar over lack of IRIAF so MP was launched to divert the attention towards "New MIG-29" something that already exists in Iran for the last 35 years so an average Joe wont be able to tell if new ones came or its just plain old 9.12s that IRIAF has been flying since 1991. I mean why would not IRIAF get its own stupid fleet of MIGS upgraded first? They are oldest MIG-29s in the world with no ARH BVR, HMD or ECM suite, Radar is old PESA N019 Rubin driven from MIG-23ML's N006 Sapfir radar. It can barely track an F-16 at 70 KM let alone 4.5 Gen adversaries with much RCS. IRIAF never asked for upgradation to "SMT/M/M2" standard along with newer R-77AE/R. They have never been upgraded locally either so why go for additional airframes first when local fleet is just a sitting duck in sky ? IAIO does give the planes a deep overhaul at Mehrabad but not MLU or upgrades.

Entire story makes no sense to me.

 

[ToddE]

What is this Karrar you guys are talking about? Not the one based off of American MQM 107 target drone, right?

On another note; IRIAF doing unveiling now, when U.S. Israel attack is just weeks away if not days. Lol.

He think there is a locally built secret F-4 variant called "F-4SM" in Iran and that domestic F-5F called "Kowsar" (barely 4.0 gen light CAP fighter) is controlled by AI and multiple are built despite 5 confirmed serial numbers. These people are either delusional or they are on payroll of IRI propaganda machine. The former will be just sad.

 

[ST1976]

it makes no sense why more MIGs are required before taking care of old fulcrum fleet at home? I think this rant by MP was an attempt to take attention off the fact that IRI has once again been fooled by Russians in a "defence deal" like S-300PMU2 before. After SU-35S deal collapse, something was needed to silence the roar over lack of IRIAF so MP was launched to divert the attention towards "New MIG-29" something that already exists in Iran for the last 35 years so an average Joe wont be able to tell if new ones came or its just plain old 9.12s that IRIAF has been flying since 1991. I mean why would not IRIAF get its own stupid fleet of MIGS upgraded first? They are oldest MIG-29s in the world with no ARH BVR, HMD or ECM suite, Radar is old PESA N019 Rubin driven from MIG-23ML's N006 Sapfir radar. It can barely track an F-16 at 70 KM let alone 4.5 Gen adversaries with much RCS. IRIAF never asked for upgradation to "SMT/M/M2" standard along with newer R-77AE/R. They have never been upgraded locally either so why go for additional airframes first when local fleet is just a sitting duck in sky ? IAIO does give the planes a deep overhaul at Mehrabad but not MLU or upgrades.

Entire story makes no sense to me.

Sir, we find our Mig29k on the new Indian AC is very competent. With usual upgrades of Radar etc, we find our Mig29k is a match to Mig35, which was introduced in Indian MRCA deal.
The Mig35 use Airframe of Mig29s. We discussed, the Russia may offer a new Mig29A version to Australia, which may be found closed to F16 block70 version, as per new upgrades of Mig29s production line....

The "twin engine", low priced, Mig29s are found as 'big brother' of Sab Grippen/ F16s type "single engine" Air bird.

We have report that A2A capabilities of Mig29k/Mig29A is well above to that of F16 block52.
And A2G capabilities of Mig29k used on new Indian AC well defeat the Sab Grippen type next gen aircrafts

 

[ToddE]

Ou can unveiled 100 wonder weapon .
Unless you massproduce , its pointless

To mass produce something, there should be demand first by the branch thats gonna use it. And for that branch must be given enough funds by MODAFL.

IRIAF's budget does not allow it to maintain any credible fleet or procure new fighters. IRGCAF takes the cake. If the 35 Billion USD military budget is true I am assuming IRGCAF is going to be taking around 20 Billion USD out of that equation. I am not against that branch by any means, they performed brilliantly in the 12 day war but IRIAF should not have been sacrificed in their name.

 

[Hack-Hook]

To mass produce something, there should be demand first by the branch thats gonna use it. And for that branch must be given enough funds by MODAFL.

IRIAF's budget does not allow it to maintain any credible fleet or procure new fighters. IRGCAF takes the cake. If the 35 Billion USD military budget is true I am assuming IRGCAF is going to be taking around 20 Billion USD out of that equation. I am not against that branch by any means, they performed brilliantly in the 12 day war but IRIAF should not have been sacrificed in their name.

It all mean if tomorrow we unveiled f22, f35 or j35,......
In the end it means nothing and IRIAF will be equipped by Mirage and J7
And air defence use mersad

 

[Shafagh]

It all mean if tomorrow we unveiled f22, f35 or j35,......
In the end it means nothing and IRIAF will be equipped by Mirage and J7
And air defence use mersad

Can we build a stealthy F5 to act as a platform for integrated AI UAVs and systems like 358 system?

I think it is a more viable approach for IRIAF, rather than desperately trying to buy big ticket items.

Don't get me wrong, we need foreign jets. But we have already reverse engineered F5. Give up the dumb dozen other science projects and focus on one. It is the foundation of our future fighter program; F5 or Shafagh program if restarted.

 

[Piet]

So when IRI was wasting 500+ Billion USD on Arab militias to fight Israel, following happened to IRIAF on 200 Million USD a year budget in last 25 years.

44 FMC airframes of F-14 reduced to 12 within 10 years.
F-14AM Upgradation program abandoned after 2 airframes in 10 years.
MIG-29 upgrdation halted, still flies with MIG-23ML avionics + SARH BVR
SU-24MK upgradation halted, still cant fire LR-ALCMs
SU-22M3/M4 upgradation halted after 10 airframes despite having 40+
SU-35S purchase deal killed
F-4E/D Dowran upgradation halted after single squadron.
Kowsar Light fighter yielded 5 airframes in 8 years.
Saegheh Light fighter abandoned after 6 airframes over 12 years
Azrakhsh Light fighter abandoned after 3 airframes
Yasin AT seems yielded 2 airframes over 6 years (1 crashed)
Tazarve AT abandoned after crashes
Karrar interceptor never progressed to larger wingmen
Kaman-22 UCAV never got built in higher numbers
Low RCS Stealth Flying wings were never purchased by IRIAF
IrAN-140/HESA SImorgh Maritime Petrol/AWACS project never progressed.
Fakour-90 LRBVR bundled up after 100 missiles, 2 x F-14AM for them
Maghsoud LRBVR never got tested
Azarakhsh WVR HOBS never purchased, IRIAF uses non-all-aspect AIM9J
Arash Light BVR never built.

Sad, sad, sad. What else is there really to say, without inducing a severe spell of nausea...

Thx for all of the above, puts things nicely into context for me.

Resuming hovering mode for now.

P

 

[Hack-Hook]

Can we build a stealthy F5 to act as a platform for integrated AI UAVs and systems like 358 system?

I think it is a more viable approach for IRIAF, rather than desperately trying to buy big ticket items.

Don't get me wrong, we need foreign jets. But we have already reverse engineered F5. Give up the dumb dozen other science projects and focus on one. It is the foundation of our future fighter program; F5 or Shafagh program if restarted.

The stealthiest f5 can become is RCS around f18

 

[Cash gk]

What is list of jets Iran hav

 

[ToddE]

Can we build a stealthy F5 to act as a platform for integrated AI UAVs and systems like 358 system?

Stealth F-5 will not have the range or armaments to invade enemy airspace for which Stealth is required at first place.

358 is a slow anti-drone missile (basically a drone itself), very successful in Yemen/Iran against slow large UCAVs. For A2A against enemy fighters you need high supersonic speed and a seeker capable of tracking targets at high angles either itself or taking cues from sensors of aircraft (Radar or IRST). Iran has a missile called Azarakhsh that can do both at Within Visual Range (Similar to R-73M) but IRIAF has no money to purchase it. It was initially designed for F-14AM (locally upgraded F-14A) and Kowsar light fighter but instead was purchased as a Short ranged SAM (SHORAD) by IRIADF.

I think it is a more viable approach for IRIAF, rather than desperately trying to buy big ticket items.

Don't get me wrong, we need foreign jets. But we have already reverse engineered F5. Give up the dumb dozen other science projects and focus on one. It is the foundation of our future fighter program; F5 or Shafagh program if restarted.

Large number of domestically built F-5E/F makes total sense for Anti-drone/UCAV/Cruise missile operations during the war. Look at Ukraine theater. In the peace time they can provide cheap CAPs and CAS at borders if needed. Another benefit is Advanced Combat Training in a fully capable fighter jet. Kowsar jet was very good for that. Program is abandoned after 5 aircrafts in 7 years because fully operational/armed unit costed around 25 million USD and IRIAF runs on a budget of 200-400 Million USD.

 

[ToddE]

It all mean if tomorrow we unveiled f22, f35 or j35,......

I have a theory that now even the prototypes unveiling routine will stop.

We are entering Post First Persian Gulf Iraq like era.

In the end it means nothing and IRIAF will be equipped by Mirage and J7
And air defence use mersad

IRIAF has no money to even keep its currently owned fleet airworthy.

 

[Hack-Hook]

I have a theory that now even the prototypes unveiling routine will stop.

We are entering Post First Persian Gulf Iraq like era.



IRIAF has no money to even keep its currently owned fleet airworthy.

Keeping that fleet is nothing but keeping beating a dead horse

 

[ToddE]

Keeping that fleet is nothing but keeping beating a dead horse

A fully upgraded and armed FMC fleet of 44 F-14AM, 24 MIG-29M, 70 Kowsar (all hypotheticals) would have saved some lives. Atleast F-14AM armed with Fakour-90 would not have allowed IAF to launch SOWs from above Iraq.

Whoever ceased this project citing "lack of funds" is responsible for deaths due to ALBMs strikes from Iraqi Airspace. No other plane could have reached there in time with LR-BVR otherwise unless SU-35S would have arrived.

 

[alireza]

Iran should at least get the Yak130M. They seem to only be getting the Yak130 base model. Yak130M would be a decent replacement for the aging F5, F7, and F1 jets that are all collecting dust.

Iran never seemed to even try upgrading the Mig29's it has, so something tells me it was never seen as viable for defense. Too many issues. I won't believe the mig29 rumors until theirs photo evidence coming out, too much speculation.

Kowsar first flew in 2018. If they could at least make 5 annually since 2019, they wouldve had over 35 Kowsar jets by now........