You're just a grunt, man! lol, albeit one hell of a knowledgeable grunt!
And that's a great idea and seems like they've already addressed the phoenix missiles with the homemade version and we've seen them with R-73s & R-27s on some of the old pics. Engines seem to be working just fine so far anyway, a replacement would be ideal for sure but credit to them with all the sanctions and complete unavailability of OEM or even after-market parts that they're still able to fly those things so well.
They've undoubtedly manufactured their own parts and for the ones they can't, they've probably taken a dedicated number of older platforms and used those parts from them?
It's remarkable what Iran has done to keep these Tomcats flying in such good condition, considering the USN had to retire them because they were just too much to maintain (especially the engines like you said they were having serious issues with them), the labor-intensive factor and logistically wise. But the latter could've also been the product of being brutally abused as carrier-borne platforms and the constant pounding of landings & catapult takeoffs, plus the effects of salt water/air corrosion, Iran's F-14s aren't exposed to all that. But it's possible these Tomcats have reached -- maybe even surpassed -- service life. Considering they were purchased in 1974, that's a huge possibility.
Still up in the air, it seems. I still hope it happens if not for the IRIAF's sake, for my own personal one!
Although I am a bit worried since the time Kim Jong Un visited Russia last year, they took him to visit the Sukhoi plant and specifically a tour of the ex-Egyptian Su-35s that were wrapped up in storage, and supposedly Putin is going to North Korea this week or next and is expected to sign a huge military deal. Combine those two events and put 2 & 2 together.........worrisome. Although some are saying it's only going to be a MOU regarding the production of ammunition to sustain Russia's war effort in the Ukraine, who knows for now we shall see eventually.
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Meh, don't believe the brutal anti-Russkiye propaganda that's on an all-out mission out there, bro. Just think, this is the same propaganda machine that supports the zionist demons and has been running all the anti-Hamas propaganda and even despises Iran.
And the above chart is even from Wiki and we all know who controls that page.
The VVS has lost only 6 Su-35Ss to date in the SMO and we've already gone over the reasons for that about 20 pages back or so.
There's a reason why Iran is interested in them and TBPH, I've always maintained that no matter who the military is, they know better and much more than us forum dwellers lol. If the IRIAF is interested in them and does eventually get them, then they know what's good for them I would never even question their choice until I at least try to understand the entire context of the situation at hand.
In this case, even if we supposed the Su-35Ss are complete worthless junk and that the latest F-16 would fly circles around it....ehem.....what else it out there for a country like Iran that is of that caliber, as in a potent, heavy fighter with brutal weapons? The F-15? I think we know the answer to that. The J-11 or 16 or whatever? We know China can't export its Russian license-built aircraft so that's out the door. Any other heavy fighters? Those are the only 2 choices and when we look at it in that perspective, it makes all the sense in the world. Plus, with the huge possibility that Egypt has already paid about $1 billion out of the total $2.2 billion for that contract of 30 Su-35Ss, that means Iran would most likely be getting them at a sweet, sweet deal. Makes all the sense in the world.
" lol I don't know how accurate that is, but it sounds like he's mocking something to do with the process in the video clip.
