Article

2005-01-03 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

1st Annual Iranian Airshow and Firepower Demonstration

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Posted by Steve 2005-01-03 12:49:15 PM|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 two American fighters indicated them as carrying out spying sorties

Really doubtful there, general (it's air force, right? I didn't know i-ran had an air force?) I think they were testing your ability to respond, and to light up the air search radars for the electric C-130's.

all fighter jets of the country have been ordered by the Army chief to shoot them down in the event of sighting them

Can I watch? It's pretty early in the year for the Darwin Award.

Posted by anymouse 2005-01-03 1:16:00 PM|| 2005-01-03 1:16:00 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Iranians definately have an air force. DUring the Iraqi-Iranian war Tomcats were used as Airborne Early Warning systems. If any are flying now, that's another question.

Iranian's working inventory most likely include the SHen Yang (MiG-21 Copy) and most likley Chinese copies of other MiG products.

As for doctrine: similar to Iraqi doctrine. Pray to Allah against the other Air Forces coz you ain't coming back alive.

Posted by badanov 2005-01-03 1:48:54 PM|| [http://www.rkka.org] 2005-01-03 1:48:54 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 GlobalSecurity.org has a complete breakdown on the Iranian Air Force:

As of 2000 it was estimated that only 40 of the 132 F-4Ds, 177 F-4Es and 16 RF-4E. Phantoms delivered before 1979 remained in service. At that time, approximately 45 of the 169 F-5E/Fs delivered are still flying, while perhaps 20 F-14A Tomcats of the 79 initially delivered were airworthy. Another 30 F-4s, 30 F-5s and 35 F-14s have been cannibalized for spare parts. One report suggested that the IRIAF can get no more than seven F-14s airborne at any one time.
An unknown number of "new" Su-25s were delivered to the Iranian Revolution Guards Corps Air Force (IRGCAF) in 2003. Where these Frogfoots originate from is unclear.
In July 2003 Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Corporation (CAIC) unveiled the new âSuper-7â or Chao Qi fighter plane to the public. The new Super-7 is âan all-purpose light fighter, required to have all-weather operation capabilities, be capable of performing the dual tasks of dogfight and air-to-ground attack, and have the ability to launch medium-range missiles. Mass production of the fighter will not begin until two and a half years of research are completed. The plane is being produced to be sold abroad to developing nations. China already has received orders from Iran and some African countries.
There have been reports of some 10 F-8Ms, 7 Tu-22Ms, 19 MIG-27s, and several MIG-31s being present in Iran, but these are not confirmed.

Posted by Steve 2005-01-03 2:59:30 PM|| 2005-01-03 2:59:30 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Steve, I like the thought: "...a complete breakdown on the Iranian Air Force Can I dwell on that just a little longer?

Posted by John Q. Citizen 2005-01-03 3:11:18 PM|| 2005-01-03 3:11:18 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 badanov...I know that the irainians got their Tomcat parts pipeline cut after the hostage crisis. I was just making a joke about the (lack of a viable) air force. A pair of F15C/Ds, F/A-18Bs, or F-16C/Ds against any 1/2 dozen of irainian fighters would not be a even close.

You are correct that they have some pirated early gen MiGs from the chicoms. They also have an unknown number of later gen MiGs that were flown to Iran from Iraq pre Desert Storm I and II, that were never returned.

Posted by anymouse 2005-01-03 3:11:24 PM|| 2005-01-03 3:11:24 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 that only 40 of the 132 F-4Ds, 177 F-4E

Don't fark up around them.

Posted by Shipman 2005-01-03 3:16:09 PM|| 2005-01-03 3:16:09 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 DUring the Iraqi-Iranian war Tomcats were used as Airborne Early Warning systems.

Low-budget AWACs, actually. One can expect the few that are flying to be used again in the same way with their Chinese-built aircraft.

Posted by Pappy 2005-01-03 8:04:24 PM|| 2005-01-03 8:04:24 PM|| Front Page Top

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