Topzle Topzle

Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

Updated: Wikipedia source

Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF; Persian: نیروی هوایی ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران, romanized: Niruye Havâyiye Arteše Jomhuriye Eslâmiye Irân) is the aviation branch of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. The present air force was created when the Imperial Iranian Air Force was renamed in 1979 following the Iranian Revolution. The IRIAF was heavily involved in the Iran–Iraq War, carrying out major operations like Operation Kaman 99, Operation Sultan 10, the H-3 airstrike, and the first attack on a nuclear reactor in history, Operation Scorch Sword. After eight years of aerial combat in that conflict, the IRIAF has the second highest claimed number of fighter aces in the region, exceeded only by the Israeli Air Force; as many as seven IRIAF pilots claimed more than six kills, mostly achieved in the F-14 Tomcat. Veterans of the Iran–Iraq War formed the core of the IRIAF command. Due to its outdated equipment and lack of spare parts for its aircraft due to international sanctions, the IRIAF was unable to counter Israeli air strikes during the Iran–Israel War, with no reports of its fighter jets being deployed, which gave Israel air superiority over Iran.

Infobox

Founded
25 February 1925; 100 years ago (1925-02-25)(as the Imperial Iranian Air Force)February 1979; 46 years ago (1979-02)(as the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force)
Country
Iran
Type
Air force
Role
Aerial warfare
Size
37,000 personnel (2024)330–350 aircraft
Part of
Islamic Republic of Iran Army
Headquarters
Tehran
Nicknames
Persian: تیزپروازان"Fastflyers"
Mottos
Persian: بلند آسمان جایگاه من است"Skyhigh is my place"
Colours
mw- Ultramarine blue
Anniversaries
8 February (Air Force Day)
Engagements
Anglo-Soviet invasion Project Dark Gene Dhofar War Joint Operation Arvand 1978 Iranian Chinook shootdown 1982 Harmak incident Iran–Iraq War Syrian Civil War Military intervention against ISIS Iran-Israel War
Commander-in-Chief
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
Commander of the Air Force
Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi
Deputy Commander
Brigadier General Mahdi Hadian
Coordinating Deputy Commander
Second Brigadier General Ali-Akbar Talebzadeh
Attack
F-4D/E, Su-24MK, F-5E/F, Saeqeh, HESA Karrar
Electronicwarfare
B707 Elint
Fighter
F-14A, MiG-29A/UB, Mirage F1EQ4/EQ5/EQ6, F-7M
Helicopter
CH-47, Bell 212, Bell 206
Patrol
P-3F
Reconnaissance
RF-4EUAV: Kaman 22 (UAV), Kaman-12 (UAV), Mohajer-6 (UAV), Qods Mohajer
Trainer
F-5A/B/Simorgh, PC-7, F33C, Fajr-3, FT-7, Mirage F1BQ, Yak-130, HESA Yasin
Transport
C-130, IL-76, F27, Boeing 747, Boeing 707, Falcon 20, Falcon 50, JetStar, PC-6, Socata TB, HESA Simourgh

Tables

· Structure › Jane's 360 military capabilities assessment 2019
Ahmadi
Ahmadi
Name
Ahmadi
Usage
Reserve airfield
Location
29°05′57″N 51°02′07″E
Aircraft
none
Araz
Araz
Name
Araz
Usage
Reserve airfield
Location
39°06′40″N 45°20′02″E
Aircraft
none
Bandar Abbas
Bandar Abbas
Name
Bandar Abbas
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
27°13′05″N 56°22′40″E
Aircraft
Composite unit F-4 Phantom II; F-7 Airguard
Bandar e Jask
Bandar e Jask
Name
Bandar e Jask
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
25°39′11″N 57°47′51″E
Aircraft
Maritime patrol flight Lockheed P-3F Orion
Birjand
Birjand
Name
Birjand
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
32°53′53″N 59°15′58″E
Aircraft
Unknown composite unit
Bishe Kola
Bishe Kola
Name
Bishe Kola
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
36°39′18″N 52°20′58″E
Aircraft
HESA Shahed 278 light utility helicopter flight
Bushehr
Bushehr
Name
Bushehr
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
28°56′41″N 50°50′04″E
Aircraft
Composite unit F-4;Grumman F-14 Tomcat; UAV's
Chahbahar
Chahbahar
Name
Chahbahar
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
25°26′41″N 60°22′55″E
Aircraft
Composite unit Dassault Mirage F1; F-4
Darrahi
Darrahi
Name
Darrahi
Usage
Reserve airfield
Location
29°22′33″N 51°04′03″E
Aircraft
none
Dezful
Dezful
Name
Dezful
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ
Location
32°25′57″N 48°24′07″E
Aircraft
Composite unit Northrop F-5; F-7 Airguard
Firuzabad
Firuzabad
Name
Firuzabad
Usage
Army aviation base
Location
35°31'43"N 51°30'26"E
Aircraft
Composite helicopter unit Shahed 278
Gorreh
Gorreh
Name
Gorreh
Usage
Reserve airfield
Location
29°54′25″N 50°25′43″E
Aircraft
none
Hamadan
Hamadan
Name
Hamadan
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
35°12′37″N 48°39′12″E
Aircraft
Composite unit F-4; F-7
Hesa
Hesa
Name
Hesa
Usage
Aircraft manufacturer
Location
32°55′44″N 51°33′40″E
Aircraft
tech/log/maintenance plant
Isfahan / Badr
Isfahan / Badr
Name
Isfahan / Badr
Usage
Army aviation; tech overhaul base
Location
32°37′16″N 51°41′49″E
Aircraft
Composite helicopter units
Isfahan / international
Isfahan / international
Name
Isfahan / international
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ
Location
32°45'10"N 51°52'44"E
Aircraft
Composite unt F-14; Mikoyan MiG-29
Isfahan / Sahid Vatanpour
Isfahan / Sahid Vatanpour
Name
Isfahan / Sahid Vatanpour
Usage
Army aviation; logistics base
Location
32°34′09″N 51°41′12″E
Aircraft
Composite helicopter unit
Kashan
Kashan
Name
Kashan
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
33°53′43″N 51°34′37″E
Aircraft
Composite fighter flights
Kerman
Kerman
Name
Kerman
Usage
Airbase
Location
30°15′57″N 56°57′34″E
Aircraft
Composite fighter/attack aircraft
Kermanshah
Kermanshah
Name
Kermanshah
Usage
Airbase
Location
34°20′45″N 47°09′29″E
Aircraft
Composite unit Sukhoi Su-24; Sukhoi Su-25
Kharg Island
Kharg Island
Name
Kharg Island
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
26°31′33″N 53°58′52″E
Aircraft
Composite unit Antonov An-74; Harbin Y-12 aircraft; Mil Mi-17 helicopters; UAV's
Kish
Kish
Name
Kish
Usage
Airbase
Location
26°31′33″N 53°58′52″E
Aircraft
Composite fighter unit
Manzariyeh
Manzariyeh
Name
Manzariyeh
Usage
Army aviation base
Location
34°59′02″N 50°48′22″E
Aircraft
Embraer EMB 312 Tucano trainer/light attack
Mashhad
Mashhad
Name
Mashhad
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
36°14′07″N 59°38′38″E
Aircraft
Composite unit F-4; F-5
Masjed Soleyman
Masjed Soleyman
Name
Masjed Soleyman
Usage
Airbase
Location
31°59′58″N 49°16′16″E
Aircraft
Composite unit F-14; F-4
Mehrshahr
Mehrshahr
Name
Mehrshahr
Usage
Training base
Location
35°46′34″N 50°52′51″E
Aircraft
Training Pilatus PC-6 Porter; Embraer 312
Omidiyeh
Omidiyeh
Name
Omidiyeh
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
30°49′51″N 49°32′35″E
Aircraft
Unknown composite units
Shiraz
Shiraz
Name
Shiraz
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield; logistics; tech overhaul
Location
29°32′11″N 52°35′18″E
Aircraft
Composite unit Ilyushin Il-76 airlift; P-3F maritime patrol; Su-24 attack; Bell 214 light utility
Soga
Soga
Name
Soga
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
37°37′40″N 56°10′23″E
Aircraft
Composite airlift unit Lockheed C-130H Hercules; Boeing 707
Tabriz
Tabriz
Name
Tabriz
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
38°07′44″N 46°14′24″E
Aircraft
Composite unit F-5; F-14; Boeing CH-47 Chinook
Tehran / Doshan Tappeh
Tehran / Doshan Tappeh
Name
Tehran / Doshan Tappeh
Usage
Training/logistics base
Location
35°42'00"N 51°28'22"E
Aircraft
Training/conversion Chengdu F-7; Northrop F-5B; Mirage F-1BQ
Tehran / Ghale Morghi
Tehran / Ghale Morghi
Name
Tehran / Ghale Morghi
Usage
Closed
Location
35°38′41″N 51°22′51″E
Aircraft
None
Tehran / Mehrabad
Tehran / Mehrabad
Name
Tehran / Mehrabad
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield; logistics; tech overhaul
Location
35°41′19″N 51°18′46″E
Aircraft
Composite unit MiG-29; Su-24; Boeing 707; C-130; Fokker F27 Friendship; CH-47
Urmia
Urmia
Name
Urmia
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
37°40′15″N 45°04′19″E
Aircraft
Composite unit helicopter / transporter aircraft
Zahedan
Zahedan
Name
Zahedan
Usage
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
Location
29°28′29″N 60°54′22″E
Aircraft
Composite unit F-4; F-5; Su-24
Name
Usage
Location
Aircraft
Ahmadi
Reserve airfield
29°05′57″N 51°02′07″E
none
Araz
Reserve airfield
39°06′40″N 45°20′02″E
none
Bandar Abbas
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
27°13′05″N 56°22′40″E
Composite unit F-4 Phantom II; F-7 Airguard
Bandar e Jask
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
25°39′11″N 57°47′51″E
Maritime patrol flight Lockheed P-3F Orion
Birjand
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
32°53′53″N 59°15′58″E
Unknown composite unit
Bishe Kola
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
36°39′18″N 52°20′58″E
HESA Shahed 278 light utility helicopter flight
Bushehr
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
28°56′41″N 50°50′04″E
Composite unit F-4;Grumman F-14 Tomcat; UAV's
Chahbahar
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
25°26′41″N 60°22′55″E
Composite unit Dassault Mirage F1; F-4
Darrahi
Reserve airfield
29°22′33″N 51°04′03″E
none
Dezful
Combined Mil/Civ
32°25′57″N 48°24′07″E
Composite unit Northrop F-5; F-7 Airguard
Firuzabad
Army aviation base
35°31'43"N 51°30'26"E
Composite helicopter unit Shahed 278
Gorreh
Reserve airfield
29°54′25″N 50°25′43″E
none
Hamadan
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
35°12′37″N 48°39′12″E
Composite unit F-4; F-7
Hesa
Aircraft manufacturer
32°55′44″N 51°33′40″E
tech/log/maintenance plant
Isfahan / Badr
Army aviation; tech overhaul base
32°37′16″N 51°41′49″E
Composite helicopter units
Isfahan / international
Combined Mil/Civ
32°45'10"N 51°52'44"E
Composite unt F-14; Mikoyan MiG-29
Isfahan / Sahid Vatanpour
Army aviation; logistics base
32°34′09″N 51°41′12″E
Composite helicopter unit
Kashan
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
33°53′43″N 51°34′37″E
Composite fighter flights
Kerman
Airbase
30°15′57″N 56°57′34″E
Composite fighter/attack aircraft
Kermanshah
Airbase
34°20′45″N 47°09′29″E
Composite unit Sukhoi Su-24; Sukhoi Su-25
Kharg Island
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
26°31′33″N 53°58′52″E
Composite unit Antonov An-74; Harbin Y-12 aircraft; Mil Mi-17 helicopters; UAV's
Kish
Airbase
26°31′33″N 53°58′52″E
Composite fighter unit
Manzariyeh
Army aviation base
34°59′02″N 50°48′22″E
Embraer EMB 312 Tucano trainer/light attack
Mashhad
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
36°14′07″N 59°38′38″E
Composite unit F-4; F-5
Masjed Soleyman
Airbase
31°59′58″N 49°16′16″E
Composite unit F-14; F-4
Mehrshahr
Training base
35°46′34″N 50°52′51″E
Training Pilatus PC-6 Porter; Embraer 312
Omidiyeh
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
30°49′51″N 49°32′35″E
Unknown composite units
Shiraz
Combined Mil/Civ airfield; logistics; tech overhaul
29°32′11″N 52°35′18″E
Composite unit Ilyushin Il-76 airlift; P-3F maritime patrol; Su-24 attack; Bell 214 light utility
Soga
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
37°37′40″N 56°10′23″E
Composite airlift unit Lockheed C-130H Hercules; Boeing 707
Tabriz
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
38°07′44″N 46°14′24″E
Composite unit F-5; F-14; Boeing CH-47 Chinook
Tehran / Doshan Tappeh
Training/logistics base
35°42'00"N 51°28'22"E
Training/conversion Chengdu F-7; Northrop F-5B; Mirage F-1BQ
Tehran / Ghale Morghi
Closed
35°38′41″N 51°22′51″E
None
Tehran / Mehrabad
Combined Mil/Civ airfield; logistics; tech overhaul
35°41′19″N 51°18′46″E
Composite unit MiG-29; Su-24; Boeing 707; C-130; Fokker F27 Friendship; CH-47
Urmia
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
37°40′15″N 45°04′19″E
Composite unit helicopter / transporter aircraft
Zahedan
Combined Mil/Civ airfield
29°28′29″N 60°54′22″E
Composite unit F-4; F-5; Su-24
· Commanders
Islamic Republic of Iran Army
Islamic Republic of Iran Army
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
Islamic Republic of Iran Army
Ground and Air Forces
Ground and Air Forces
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
Ground and Air Forces
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
Navy Forces
ArteshBod
ArteshBod
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
ArteshBod
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
DaryaBod
SepahBod
SepahBod
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
SepahBod
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
DaryaSalar
SarLashkar
SarLashkar
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
SarLashkar
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
DaryaBan
SarTip
SarTip
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
SarTip
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
DaryaDar I
SarTip Dovvom
SarTip Dovvom
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
SarTip Dovvom
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
DaryaDar II
SarHang
SarHang
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
SarHang
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
NaKhoda I
SarHang II
SarHang II
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
SarHang II
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
NaKhoda II
SarGord
SarGord
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
SarGord
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
NaKhoda III
SarVan
SarVan
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
SarVan
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
NavSarvan
SotVan I, II and III
SotVan I, II and III
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
SotVan I, II and III
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
Navban I, II and III
OsTovar I and II
OsTovar I and II
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
OsTovar I and II
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
NavOstovar I and II
GoroohBan I, II and III
GoroohBan I, II and III
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
GoroohBan I, II and III
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
MahNavy I, II and III
SarJookheh
SarJookheh
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
SarJookheh
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
SarNavy
SarBaz I and II
SarBaz I and II
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
SarBaz I and II
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
Navy I and II
SarBaz
SarBaz
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
SarBaz
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
Navy
Military Ranks of the Iranian Army
Islamic Republic of Iran Army
Ground and Air Forces
Navy Forces
ArteshBod
DaryaBod
SepahBod
DaryaSalar
SarLashkar
DaryaBan
SarTip
DaryaDar I
SarTip Dovvom
DaryaDar II
SarHang
NaKhoda I
SarHang II
NaKhoda II
SarGord
NaKhoda III
SarVan
NavSarvan
SotVan I, II and III
Navban I, II and III
OsTovar I and II
NavOstovar I and II
GoroohBan I, II and III
MahNavy I, II and III
SarJookheh
SarNavy
SarBaz I and II
Navy I and II
SarBaz
Navy
· Aircraft › Current inventory
Combat aircraft
Combat aircraft
Aircraft
Combat aircraft
Chengdu F-7
Chengdu F-7
Aircraft
Chengdu F-7
Origin
China
Type
fighter
Variant
F-7M/N
In service
17
Notes
Chinese license-built MiG-21
F-4 Phantom II
F-4 Phantom II
Aircraft
F-4 Phantom II
Origin
United States
Type
fighter-bomber
Variant
D/E/RF
In service
64
Notes
16 aircraft are configured for reconnaissance. 1 lost in 2025
F-5 Tiger II
F-5 Tiger II
Aircraft
F-5 Tiger II
Origin
United States
Type
fighter
Variant
F-5E
In service
35
Notes
Israeli Air Force has claimed destroying two of F-5s but only has released video of destroying one of Iranian F-5s during 2025 Iran-Israel war
F-14 Tomcat
F-14 Tomcat
Aircraft
F-14 Tomcat
Origin
United States
Type
fighter / interceptor
Variant
F-14A/AM
In service
~35
Notes
Israeli Air Force has released two videos of destroying at least 5 Iranian F-14s during 2025 Iran-Israel war
HESA Azarakhsh
HESA Azarakhsh
Aircraft
HESA Azarakhsh
Origin
United States/Iran
Type
Light jet
In service
6[citation needed]
Notes
Light jet based on Northrop F-5
HESA Kowsar
HESA Kowsar
Aircraft
HESA Kowsar
Origin
United States/Iran
Type
Light jet
In service
5
HESA Saeqeh
HESA Saeqeh
Aircraft
HESA Saeqeh
Origin
United States/Iran
Type
Light jet
In service
12[citation needed]
Notes
Iranian reverse-engineered Northrop F-5
Mikoyan MiG-29
Mikoyan MiG-29
Aircraft
Mikoyan MiG-29
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
multirole
Variant
MiG-29B
In service
24
Notes
6 used for training
Mirage F1
Mirage F1
Aircraft
Mirage F1
Origin
France
Type
multirole
Variant
F1EQ
In service
12
Notes
Obtained from the Iraqi Air Force during the Gulf War
Sukhoi Su-24
Sukhoi Su-24
Aircraft
Sukhoi Su-24
Origin
Russia
Type
attack
Variant
Su-24MK
In service
21
Maritime patrol
Maritime patrol
Aircraft
Maritime patrol
Dassault Falcon 50
Dassault Falcon 50
Aircraft
Dassault Falcon 50
Origin
France
Type
maritime patrol
In service
1
P-3 Orion
P-3 Orion
Aircraft
P-3 Orion
Origin
United States
Type
maritime patrol
Variant
P-3F
In service
5
Tanker
Tanker
Aircraft
Tanker
Boeing 707
Boeing 707
Aircraft
Boeing 707
Origin
United States
Type
aerial refueling / transport
In service
3
Boeing 747
Boeing 747
Aircraft
Boeing 747
Origin
United States
Type
aerial refueling / transport
In service
3
Transport
Transport
Aircraft
Transport
Boeing 707
Boeing 707
Aircraft
Boeing 707
Origin
United States
Type
VIP transport
In service
2
Notes
also used for electronic warfare
Boeing 747
Boeing 747
Aircraft
Boeing 747
Origin
United States
Type
VIP transport
In service
6
C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
Aircraft
C-130 Hercules
Origin
United States
Type
tactical airlifter
Variant
C-130E/H
In service
28
Ilyushin Il-76
Ilyushin Il-76
Aircraft
Ilyushin Il-76
Origin
Russia
Type
strategic airlifter
In service
5
Fokker F-27
Fokker F-27
Aircraft
Fokker F-27
Origin
Netherlands
Type
transport
In service
5
Pilatus PC-6
Pilatus PC-6
Aircraft
Pilatus PC-6
Origin
Switzerland
Type
utility
In service
13
Notes
STOL capable aircraft
Helicopters
Helicopters
Aircraft
Helicopters
Bell 206
Bell 206
Aircraft
Bell 206
Origin
Italy
Type
utility
In service
3
Notes
one used as a rotorcraft trainer
Bell 212
Bell 212
Aircraft
Bell 212
Origin
Italy
Type
utility
In service
1
CH-47 Chinook
CH-47 Chinook
Aircraft
CH-47 Chinook
Origin
United States
Type
transport
Variant
CH-47C
In service
2
Trainers
Trainers
Aircraft
Trainers
Mirage F1
Mirage F1
Aircraft
Mirage F1
Origin
France
Type
conversion trainer
Variant
F1BQ
In service
5
Notes
obtained from fleeing IQAF pilots during the Gulf War
Pilatus PC-7
Pilatus PC-7
Aircraft
Pilatus PC-7
Origin
Switzerland
Type
trainer
In service
34
PAC Super Mushshak
PAC Super Mushshak
Aircraft
PAC Super Mushshak
Origin
Pakistan
Type
trainer
In service
25
Northrop F-5
Northrop F-5
Aircraft
Northrop F-5
Origin
United States
Type
conversion trainer
Variant
F-5B/F
In service
15
HESA Yasin
HESA Yasin
Aircraft
HESA Yasin
Origin
Iran
Type
trainer
In service
1
Notes
1 crashed in 2024
IRIAF Parastu-14[citation needed]
IRIAF Parastu-14[citation needed]
Aircraft
IRIAF Parastu-14[citation needed]
Origin
Iran
Type
trainer
Notes
reverse-engineered Beechcraft Bonanza
Chengdu F-7
Chengdu F-7
Aircraft
Chengdu F-7
Origin
China
Type
conversion trainer
Variant
FT-7
In service
1
Yak-130
Yak-130
Aircraft
Yak-130
Origin
Russia
Type
trainer/CAS
In service
6
Notes
Also armed with R-73E SRAAM
Aircraft
Origin
Type
Variant
In service
Notes
Combat aircraft
Chengdu F-7
China
fighter
F-7M/N
17
Chinese license-built MiG-21
F-4 Phantom II
United States
fighter-bomber
D/E/RF
64
16 aircraft are configured for reconnaissance. 1 lost in 2025
F-5 Tiger II
United States
fighter
F-5E
35
Israeli Air Force has claimed destroying two of F-5s but only has released video of destroying one of Iranian F-5s during 2025 Iran-Israel war
F-14 Tomcat
United States
fighter / interceptor
F-14A/AM
~35
Israeli Air Force has released two videos of destroying at least 5 Iranian F-14s during 2025 Iran-Israel war
HESA Azarakhsh
United States/Iran
Light jet
6[citation needed]
Light jet based on Northrop F-5
HESA Kowsar
United States/Iran
Light jet
5
HESA Saeqeh
United States/Iran
Light jet
12[citation needed]
Iranian reverse-engineered Northrop F-5
Mikoyan MiG-29
Soviet Union
multirole
MiG-29B
24
6 used for training
Mirage F1
France
multirole
F1EQ
12
Obtained from the Iraqi Air Force during the Gulf War
Sukhoi Su-24
Russia
attack
Su-24MK
21
Maritime patrol
Dassault Falcon 50
France
maritime patrol
1
P-3 Orion
United States
maritime patrol
P-3F
5
Tanker
Boeing 707
United States
aerial refueling / transport
3
Boeing 747
United States
aerial refueling / transport
3
Transport
Boeing 707
United States
VIP transport
2
also used for electronic warfare
Boeing 747
United States
VIP transport
6
C-130 Hercules
United States
tactical airlifter
C-130E/H
28
Ilyushin Il-76
Russia
strategic airlifter
5
Fokker F-27
Netherlands
transport
5
Pilatus PC-6
Switzerland
utility
13
STOL capable aircraft
Helicopters
Bell 206
Italy
utility
3
one used as a rotorcraft trainer
Bell 212
Italy
utility
1
CH-47 Chinook
United States
transport
CH-47C
2
Trainers
Mirage F1
France
conversion trainer
F1BQ
5
obtained from fleeing IQAF pilots during the Gulf War
Pilatus PC-7
Switzerland
trainer
34
PAC Super Mushshak
Pakistan
trainer
25
Northrop F-5
United States
conversion trainer
F-5B/F
15
HESA Yasin
Iran
trainer
1
1 crashed in 2024
IRIAF Parastu-14[citation needed]
Iran
trainer
reverse-engineered Beechcraft Bonanza
Chengdu F-7
China
conversion trainer
FT-7
1
Yak-130
Russia
trainer/CAS
6
Also armed with R-73E SRAAM

References

  1. One probably destroyed in the June 2025 Israeli airstrikes
  2. The Military Balance 2024
  3. www.bbc.com
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2lxkpekedo
  4. Iranian F-14 Tomcat Units in Combat (Combat Aurcraft 49)
    https://kavehfarrokh.com/book-review/books-on-the-history-of-the-iranian-air-force-by-farzad-bishop-and-tom-cooper-2/
  5. BBC News
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/381277.stm
  6. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/06/world/iran-strafes-rebels-in-iraq-jet-downed.html
  7. "iranian_F_4_Phantom_LOSSES"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150710211447/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/country-by-country/iranian_f_4_phantom_losses.htm
  8. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-airforce-idUSCOL54415720070805
  9. South China Morning Post
    https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1542427/new-us-planes-slow-arrive-iraq-seeks-remnants-saddams-air-force-bomb-isil
  10. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2014/06/27/be172f43-cf98-4677-8e6d-4d64a5ae5e1d_story.html
  11. Middle East Monitor
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20140623-iran-returns-military-aircraft-to-iraq-after-20-years/
  12. چاوز: جنگنده های اف – ۱۶ را احتمالا به ایران می فروشیم (Aftab News)
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090216034033/http://www.aftabnews.ir/vdciwwa5.t1a5z2bcct.html
  13. Venezuela Threatens to Sell F-16 Fleet to Iran, Fox News
    https://www.foxnews.com/story/venezuela-threatens-to-sell-f-16-fleet-to-iran
  14. Russia on Iran’s Market for Arms Archived 2009-09-07 at the Wayback Machine Moscow Defense Brief
    http://www.mdb.cast.ru/mdb/1-2006/arms_trade/item1/
  15. "Iranian Military Planes Crashes in Annual Parade"
    https://archive.today/20210114191020/https://www.webcitation.org/5k5dUA3SP?url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php%3Fi=4289949&c=AIR&s=MID
  16. "Accident description"
    http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20090922-0
  17. Iran Bombing Islamic State In Iraq, U.S. Official Confirms Huffington Post
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/01/us-iran-iraq_n_6251894.html
  18. Radio Farda
    https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-f5-fighter-crash-dezful/29454929.html
  19. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2019-12-25/iran-fighter-plane-crashes-near-border-pilots-fate-unknown
  20. Iran’s Vintage Fighter Jets Keep Falling Out Of The Sky - Forbes May 29, 2022
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2022/05/29/irans-vintage-fighter-jets-keep-falling-out-of-the-sky/?sh=2bc35997560d
  21. Iran TV: ‘Technical problem’ on fighter jet kills 2 pilots - AP News June 1, 2021
    https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-iran-9285ac8edbf4816e2501bd7411f86462
  22. Iranian fighter jet crashes into school, three killed - France24 21/02/2022
    https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220221-iranian-fighter-jet-crashes-into-school-three-killed
  23. Two Iranian pilots killed after F7 jet crashes, IRNA reports - Reuters May 24, 2022
    https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/two-iranian-pilots-killed-after-f7-jet-crashes-irna-2022-05-24/
  24. twz.com
    https://www.twz.com/iran-receives-russian-yak-130-advanced-trainer-jets
  25. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/israeli-air-power-reigns-over-iran-needs-us-deeper-impact-2025-06-17/
  26. The War Zone
    https://www.twz.com/air/irans-f-14-persian-tomcats-obliterated-in-israeli-airstrike
  27. The Times of Israel
    https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-spokesman-says-three-iranian-f-14-fighter-jets-destroyed-in-latest-strikes/
  28. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/15/world/iran-israel-nuclear/israel-appears-to-have-destroyed-a-refueling-plane-in-irans-far-east-satellite-imagery-and-video-shows
  29. militarnyi.com
    https://militarnyi.com/en/news/israel-destroys-iran-s-only-and-unique-boeing-707-tanker/
  30. Associated Press
    https://apnews.com/article/iran-fordo-us-strike-trump-israel-nuclear-sites-320a85327f94ed7496f09564261f3148
  31. "Janes | Login for world leading open source defence intelligence"
    https://my.ihs.com/Janes?th=janes&callingurl=https%3a%2f%2fjanes.ihs.com%2f
  32. "ANALYSIS - Iran's real military capacity in context"
    https://www.aa.com.tr/en/analysis/analysis-iran-s-real-military-capacity-in-context/1726974
  33. "World Air Forces 2025"
    https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=106507
  34. "World Air Forces 1987 pg. 64"
    https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202514.html
  35. asn.flightsafety.org
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/472377
  36. "Irsaeli Air Force destroys more Iranian fighter jets"
    https://defence-blog.com/israeli-air-force-destroys-more-iranian-fighter-jets/
  37. The Aviationist
    https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-overhaulw-last-active-f-14-fleet-photos-2015-3?IR=T
  38. "Iran announces delivery of Kowsar jets, shows F-5Fs"
    https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/iran-announces-delivery-of-kowsar-jets-shows-f-5fs
  39. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/15/world/iran-israel-nuclear#israel-appears-to-have-destroyed-a-refueling-plane-in-irans-far-east-satellite-imagery-and-video-shows
  40. "World Air Forces 2024"
    https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=98881
  41. The Military Balance 2020
  42. Tasnim News Agency
    https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2023/03/11/2865604/iran-begins-to-mass-produce-jet-trainer
  43. asn.flightsafety.org
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/464194
  44. The Aviationist
    https://theaviationist.com/2024/12/12/iran-yak-130-r-73-aam/
  45. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-airforce-idUSCOL54415720070805
  46. "With new US planes slow to arrive, Iraq seeks remnants of Saddam's air force to bomb ISIL"
    https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1542427/new-us-planes-slow-arrive-iraq-seeks-remnants-saddams-air-force-bomb-isil
  47. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2014/06/27/be172f43-cf98-4677-8e6d-4d64a5ae5e1d_story.html
  48. "Iran returns military aircraft to Iraq after 20 years – Middle East Monitor"
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20140623-iran-returns-military-aircraft-to-iraq-after-20-years/
  49. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/18/iran-hails-lifting-un-arms-embargo-momentous-day-sanctions-us-protests
  50. Reuters
    http://web.archive.org/web/20240514182144/https://www.reuters.com/world/iran-finalises-deal-buy-russian-fighter-jets-tasnim-2023-11-28/
  51. Tasnim News Agency
    https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2023/11/28/2996773/deal-done-iran-to-get-mil-mi-28-chopper-sukhoi-su-35-jet
  52. DEBKAfile DEBKA Reports: Iran buys 250 long-distance Sukhoi fighter-bombers, 20 fuel tankers, from Russia 1 August 2007
    http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=4449
  53. Navy Times Reports: Iran may buy 250 jets from Russia 1 August 2007
    http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/07/navy_iran_fighters_070730w/
  54. defensetech Iran's New Fighter? 2 August 2007
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071011213755/http://defensetech.org/archives/003636.html
  55. "Iran, world, political, sport, economic news and headlines"
    http://www.mehrnews.com/fa/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=751789
  56. Pars Today
    https://parstoday.com/es/news/iran-i907
  57. Yossi Melman. "Iran to buy from China 24 fighter jets based on Israeli technology" Haaretz, 24 October 2007.
    https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/916317.html
  58. caliber.az
    https://caliber.az/en/post/iran-eyes-chinese-j-10c-fighters-amid-delays-in-russian-jet-deliveries
Image
Source: —
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.