Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

The Iranian Air Force, formally known as the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF), is a complex entity that operates under various constraints, primarily due to international sanctions and geopolitical tensions. Its fleet is a mixture of aging American, Russian, and domestically-produced aircraft, indicating technological disparities and operational limitations. The force is largely built around older platforms like the F-4 Phantom II and the F-14 Tomcat, acquired before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, alongside Russian imports like the MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-24.

Modernization efforts have been impeded by economic sanctions, limiting Iran's ability to acquire state-of-the-art hardware or even adequately maintain its existing fleet. To compensate, Iran has focused on indigenously developing missile systems and UAVs, achieving some degree of success in asymmetric warfare capabilities.

While the Air Force has proven its effectiveness in regional engagements, like supporting the Assad regime in Syria, it lacks the technological sophistication to compete with advanced Western air forces. Furthermore, its operational doctrine is largely defensive, designed to deter aggression rather than project power at a global scale.

Key facts

Official Name	Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
Local Name	نیروی هوایی ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران (Nīrvī-ye Havāyī-ye Arteš-e Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Īrān)
Country	🇮🇷 Iran
World rank	#22
Active aircrafts	541 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	0
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Combat aircrafts	219
Helicopters	126
Training	94
Transport	86
Special missions	9
Tankers	7

Aircrafts most used by Iranian air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
F-4 Phantom II	63	American fighter-bomber, renowned for its widespread use in the Vietnam War and numerous other international military conflicts.
F-14 Tomcat	41	American supersonic, twin-engine fighter jet, dominant during the Cold War, extensively deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
CH-47 Chinook	40	American tandem rotor helicopter, synonymous with heavy-lift operations, crucial in conflicts including Vietnam and Afghanistan.
F-5E Tiger II	35	American fighter jet, used in the Cold War era, notable for its worldwide military deployments, including operation Desert Storm.
PC-7 Turbo Trainer	34	Swiss-made turbo trainer, distinguished by service in over 30 air forces, dating back to the late 1970s.
UH-1 Iroquois "Huey"	33	American utility helicopter, essential in the Vietnam War, extensively employed for medevac, transport, and combat operations.
C-130 Hercules	28	American military transport aircraft, known for significant roles in Vietnam War and Desert Storm, extensively used for various cargo missions.
MFI-15 Safari	25	Swedish utility aircraft, operational since the 1960s, frequently deployed for training and light transport roles worldwide.
Su-24 Fencer	23	Soviet strike/bomber, distinctively recognized in Afghanistan conflicts during the Cold War, extensively served in post-Soviet states and naval aviation.
Mi-17 Hip-H	22	Soviet transport helicopter, prominently deployed during Afghan War, globally used for cargo, troop transport, and rescue missions.

Full inventory in 2024

Iranian Revolutionary Guard

Aircraft Type	Model	Active	Ordered
Combat aircrafts	Su-22
Helicopters	Mi-171
Training	MFI-17
	EMB-312
Transport	An-74
	Il-76
	Y-12
	Falcon 20