My comparison to SU-35 was in relation to need. For example, imagine if instead of Bavar 373, iran spent 10 years trying to replicate Pantsir or Iron Dome, what use would a SHORAD be when a country lacks LR defense system? So in that line of thinking what use would a $20M F-5 be for a country that lacks a proper interceptor?
Every country on earth is purchasing or developing a modernized light CAP fighter so Kowsar fits that criteria, SU-35S is a replacement for F-14A's long interception capabilities which are not even that much-needed anymore, it has no other purpose. Comparing these two is just illogical.
Besides, calling Kowsar and F-5 is a non-technical mindset. Capability-wise, the plane rivals FCK-1 C/D or FA-50 if fully armed, we can make a head-to-head comparison. You are getting confused by only focusing on its aerodynamics, which was very important in the 1970s, but in today's world, avionics, nav-communication, weapons matter, nothing else.
F-5 at $20M is expensive for a country like Iran that lacks a suitable interceptor. So Iran’s focus should first be on building interceptor then moving to more speciality aircraft.
No country outside US, USSR has ever developed an indigenous long range interceptor plane. How many such planes even existed? F-14, MIG-25/31, then the world moved towards multirole fighters. Even if by some miracle Iran produces a long range interceptor at home, who would be doing light CAPs? So a light CAP fighter was needed but because of its heavy modernization the cost went up and the assembly line got stuck. That Reza's theory and I agree because some of the capabilities they showed were probably not needed if the role is just CAP around IADS assets. Why would they need Rear and FL-RWR ? why additional ECM when radar itself has built-in ECM ? why load the nose with 4 separate management computers including separate ones for A2A and A2G attacks? such a light airframe did not need FBW .... list goes on and on. They could have just gotten a new radar with local ARH BVR + HOBs and be done with it like Brazilian F-5M.
I think what really happened was leadership (MODAFL) at IRGC's behest fooled the airforce that they would get the money for this project, 80 such planes even at 20 Million tag would have costed like 2 BLN USD so if the budget of IRIAF was doubled then they could have afforded the plane but budget instead got halved (IRGC's budget increased) and plane is no longer affordable while IRGC is flying HGVs and MaRVs over Israeli air space for fun.
If BT is correct a $10M tag for a semi modernized F-5 is a much more digestible price tag than the $20M for the ‘fully loaded’ version. Originally the F-5 was created to sell a cheap plane to banana countries, so for Iran to make it to an semi-expensive fighter goes against its initial creation idea in 60’s
You are making the same mistake again because you are too caught up in aerodynamics, which is obsolete thinking. Extensive upgrades/modernizations change roles of planes. MIG-25 was built as a high altitutde interceptor to stop XB-70 but its upgraded form MIG-31 (same aerodynamics, size etc) is now launching hypersonic ALBM. Kowsar because of its strong modern avionics or combat suite can perform the job of IADS-integrated-CAP which F-5E/F with their APQ-153/159 (32 KM track range) could not even think of. Its a different plane with different capabilities. If IRIAF is smart, they could have created integrated localized CAP battle groups of 5 x Kowsars with 10 x Karrars and KAMAN-22/Shahed-171 providing Jamming/ELINT role, flying under the umbrella provided by Bavar/S-300 at ground and F-14,SU35, MIG-29 providing higher altitude coverage. Just because you see an F-5 aerodynamics does not mean its an F-5 just like MIG-31BM launching R-33/37 and Khinzal in 2024 is not MIG-25 of 1972 launching R-23 from 20 KM away. Tech changes roles.
I always saw this plane as an Advanced Trainer + CAS + fighter of last resort while Iran tried to replace it as a bulk of fleet fighter jet which didn’t make sense.
Which advanced trainer in the entire world has datalinking with IADS, 3 axis FBW, 4 management weapons computers, 6 MFDS, TWS Radar tracking an F-16 at 100+ KM with ECCM, can cruise at 0.9 Mach, touch 1.6 M, climb at 35K ft/min?
Its a light CAP fighter that can stop an intruder from within IADS, that's its role. It does not have energy because of its small thrust to do the job of F-14AM, SU-35S or MIG-29SMT. For that it needs 38K lbs thrust to come out and return to the periphery of IADS like what a MIG-29 can do right now but without that, its just a light CAP, advanced one though.
Well IRGC a has historically been anti Air Force and they get the Lion share of the budget and have the leader’s ear. So barring a major shift in thinking or a decision from leader himself to rebuild the force, things are looking grim in near future. But several years ago IRGC announced they were building their own fighter jet. Supposedly the thinking goes they learned lessons from Russian CAS on Syrian war and wanted to create their own CAS fighter.
Then radio silence.
IRGC has lost interest in combat aviation IMO. SU-22M3/M4 upgradation was a marvel, the plan can launch 1000+ KM ranging CM, all types of modern PGMs, ALBMs, can datalink with drones etc but only 1 squadron was built when you have 44 airframes just lying around? I think they see no utility in having fighters because Iranian missile muscle has gone too big, Israeli air force can't reach Iran, and Persian Gulf Arabs will get their airbases turned into dust if they decide to go head-on against Iran so IRGC sees no use of combat aviation anymore. Mind you IRGC is run by battle-hardened ground soldiers like Salami, Ghani, Bagheri etc these people are inherently anti-AF all over the world, they want Airdefence batteries and missiles for offense while the rest is all HUMINT-based operations.
All in all I see IRIAF's funding even decreased to the point that they would one day be operating only few squadrons of SU-35S (may be 3-4) on QRA duties with Yak-130 as trainers, all this local eco system, capabilities that aviation sector built over the time will be gone because Reza's theory of Overly ambitious programs of converting F-5E into F-16 Block 40, converting F-4E/D into F-15C etc which having no budget approved and thats my point as well. IRIAF is stupid, IRGC is not.
