Iran has AEW&CS/AWACS !!!

SABRE · July 6th, 2006

Seems like A-50 on IL-76, with a missing engine on the right wing.

**Big-E** · July 6th, 2006

What are they going to use an AWACs for? To lead the sheep to the slaughter? Theres no point in having them if you don't have the force to do something with it.

orko_8 · July 7th, 2006

It must be Adnan-1, the Iraqi AWACS aircraft based on Il-76 with electronics supplied from France before 1991. During Gulf War along with numerous other combat aircraft, Adnan-1 fled to Iran to avoid destruction. Iran kept those aircraft as compensation for 1980 - 1988 Iran-Iraq war. Most of them are being used (such as ~20 Mirage F.1's), but servicability of Adnan-1 is relatively questionnable.

gf0012-aust · July 7th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by orko_8

It must be Adnan-1, the Iraqi AWACS aircraft based on Il-76 with electronics supplied from France before 1991. During Gulf War along with numerous other combat aircraft, Adnan-1 fled to Iran to avoid destruction. Iran kept those aircraft as compensation for 1980 - 1988 Iran-Iraq war. Most of them are being used (such as ~20 Mirage F.1's), but servicability of Adnan-1 is relatively questionnable.

Good catch! Thx for that. I completely forgot about the "fright flight" option.

Markus40 · July 9th, 2006

Can anyone give me anymore information about the capability of the Iranian Airforce post 1988 Iran-Iraq war.?

Markus40 · July 9th, 2006

As to the speculative comments above on the "Iranian Adnan-1" photo i have found information to suggest the opposite.

Iranian AEW

Google Earth observers spotted an Iranian AEW at the Shiraz airbase, which mainly houses transport aircraft. This aircraft is believed to be a fled Iraqi example, two converted IL76 with radardomes fled in 1991, this is not the ADNAN 1 of the Iraqi air force. This page gives an overview of what can be found on Iranian Airbases.

This aircraft is however disabled since it is missing an engine on its right hand side wing, although I don't doubt that Iran is incapable of repairing it and getting it airborne again with some help (Russia or China, its own industry probably has the ability to re-engine it).

SABRE · July 9th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markus40

Can anyone give me anymore information about the capability of the Iranian Airforce post 1988 Iran-Iraq war.?

The Islamic Republic of Iran Air force (IRIAF) has following aircrafts in its inventory (the number of units per aircraft is speculative):

COMBAT FIGHTERS

IN SERVICE:

F-14 Tomcat

Contractor = Northrop Grumman, USA
Buyer = IIAF, Iran
No. of Units purchased = 80 (by Shah of Iran for IIAF)
No. of Units in service = 35 (some reports suggest only 20 are operational)

F-4 Phantom-II

Contractor = McDonald Douglas, USA
Buyer = IIAF, Iran
No. of units purchase = 200+
No. of units in service = 70+

F-5 Tiger II

Contractor = Northrop Grumman
Buyer = IIAF, Iran
No. of units purchase = 170 to 180 (by Shah of Iran for IIAF)
No. of units in service = 75 to 80

Mirage F-1

(Ex-IQAF/Iraqi fighters)

Contractor = Dassault, France
Buyer = IQAF, Iraq
No. of units purchased [by Iraq] = N/A
No. of units in service [in IRIAF, Iran] = 19 to 21

MiG-29 Fulcrum

(Some Ex-IQAF/Iraqi Fighters)

Contractor = Mikoyan, USSR/Russia
Buyer 1 = IQAF, Iraq
Buyer2 = IRIAF, Iran
No. of Iraq units = 4 [claimed by Iraq]
No. of units in service [with IRIAF, Iran] = 35 (Some reports suggest 75, out of which 35 are actually Iraqi)

Su-24
(Ex-IQAF/Iraqi fighter)

Contractor = Sukhoi, USSR/Russia
Buyer = IQAF, Iraq
No. of ex-Iraq units = 24
No. of units in service [with IRIAF, Iran] = 24

Su-25
(Some Ex-IQAF/Iraqi fighter)

Contractor = Sukhoi, USSR/Russia
Buyer 1 = IQAF, Iraq
Buyer 2 = IRIAF, Iran
No. of Iraq units = 7
No of units purchased by Iran = 10
No. of units in service= 17

F-7 Sky bolt

Contractor = CAC, China
Buyer = IRIAF, Iran
No. of units purchased = N/A
No. of units in service = N/A

COMBAT AIRCRAFTS BOUGHT BY IRIAF BUT MAY OR MAY NO LONGER BE IN SERVICE:

Shenyang F-6/MiG-19 Farmer (Used for training)

Contractor = SAC, China
Buyer = IRIAF, Iran
No. of units purchased = 2
No. of units in service = N/A

Su-20

(Ex-IQAF/Iraqi Fighter)

Contractor = Sukhoi, USSR/Russia
Buyer = IQAF, Iraq
No. of ex-Iraq units = 4
No. of units in service [with IRIAF, Iran] = N/A

Su-22

(Ex-IQAF/Iraqi Fighter)

Contractor = Sukhoi, USSR/Russia
Buyer = IQAF, Iraq
No. of ex-Iraq units = 40 [claimed by Iraqi officials]
No. of units in service [with IRIAF, Iran] = N/A

MiG-23

(Ex-IQAF/Iraqi fighter)

Contractor = Mikoyan, USSR/Russia
Buyer = IQAF, Iraq
No. of ex-Iraqi units = N/A
No. of units in service [with IRIAF, Iran] = 9

IRANIAN COMBAT AIRCRAFT PROJECTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT:

Shafaq = Single Prototype
Azarakhsh = single Prototype
Saeqeh = Single Prototype

NON COMBAT AIRCRAFTS

IN SERVICE:

Pilatus PC-7 (Trainer):

Contractor = Pilatus Aircrafts, Switzerland
Buyer = IRIAF, Iran
No. of units purchased = 35
No. of units in service = 35

C-130 (Cargo)

Contractor = Lockheed-Martin, USA
Buyer = IIAF, Iran
No. of units purchased = N/A
No. of units in service = N/A

IL-76 (Cargo)

(Ex-IQAF/Iraqi aircraft)

Contractor = USSR/Russia & Uzbekistan
Buyer = Iraq
No. of Iraqi units = 15
No. of units in service with IRIAF, Iran = N/A

Boeing 707 (Tanker)

Contractor = Boeing, USA
Buyer = IIAF, Iran
No. of units purchase = N/A
No. of units in service = N/A

Boeing 727 (Cargo/Transport)

Contractor = Boeing, USA
Buyer = IIAF, Iran
No. of units purchase = N/A
No. of units in service = N/A

Boeing 747 (Transport)

Contractor = Boeing, USA
Buyer = IIAF, Iran
No. of units purchase = N/A
No. of units in service = N/A

Antonov An-74T-200

Contractor = ?

Buyer = IIAF, Iran
No. of units purchase = N/A
No. of units in service = N/A

NON COMBAT AIRCRAFT BOUGHT BY IIAF/IRIAF BUT MAY OR MAY NO LONGER BE IN SERVICE:

Commander 690
Fokker F-27
Dassault Falcon 20
Lockheed Jet Star

AWACS & OTHER AEW&C Systems

Adnan-1 = 2 units
A-50 = Existence Speculated

P3C Orion:

Contractor = Lockheed-Martin, USA
Buyer = IIAF, Iran
No. of units purchase = N/A
No. of units in service = N/A

Ground Based Early Warning & Radar System:

The existing Ground based Early Warning & Radar system was jointly established under CENTO member (Pakistan, Turkey, Iran & Iraq - USA as observer) in 1950s, with the help of USA. It was last upgraded in 1970s by Iran according to a report. While very little of this system is used by Pakistan & Turkey now days.

contedicavour · July 9th, 2006

8 different types of front line fighters, most without any appropriate maintenance either because American built or because inherited from the fleeing Iraqi Air Force ...
If we consider the best air-to-air missiles on the American built planes must be old semi-active radar Sparrows AIM-7 ... the only decent air superiority fighters around in Iran are the Fulcrums (btw do we know if they use AA10 or the AA12 ?)
It's strange the Russians haven't sold some SU27/30 to Iran ...

cheers

SABRE · July 10th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by contedicavour

8 different types of front line fighters, most without any appropriate maintenance either because American built or because inherited from the fleeing Iraqi Air Force ...
If we consider the best air-to-air missiles on the American built planes must be old semi-active radar Sparrows AIM-7 ... the only decent air superiority fighters around in Iran are the Fulcrums (btw do we know if they use AA10 or the AA12 ?)
It's strange the Russians haven't sold some SU27/30 to Iran ...

cheers

Not much information is available on air-to-air & air-to-ground weapons that are in the IRIAF's inventory. It is also unknown whether their MiG-29s are BVR capable or not (But they are suppose to be upgraded to SMT level by Russia this year).

Note: Many sites are claiming that IRIAF, Iran has filled an order for atleast "40" FC-1/JF-17 thunders, along with BVR missiles (although missile not named but its SD-10 for sure). But there has been no confirmation by either CAC/China or PAC/Pakistan, infact there even have been no roumers in news papers or other media sources regarding the deal.

Markus40 · July 10th, 2006

Seems to me that the IAF is still a formidable force. Despite its lack of spares and operational aircraft.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SABRE

Not much information is available on air-to-air & air-to-ground weapons that are in the IRIAF's inventory. It is also unknown whether their MiG-29s are BVR capable or not (But they are suppose to be upgraded to SMT level by Russia this year).

Note: Many sites are claiming that IRIAF, Iran has filled an order for atleast "40" FC-1/JF-17 thunders, along with BVR missiles (although missile not named but its SD-10 for sure). But there has been no confirmation by either CAC/China or PAC/Pakistan, infact there even have been no roumers in news papers or other media sources regarding the deal.

SABRE · July 10th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markus40

Seems to me that the IAF is still a formidable force. Despite its lack of spares and operational aircraft.

1st, its not IAF. IAF = Indian Airforce. The Iranian Airforce is IRIAF [Islamic Republic Iran Airforce], formerly known as IIAF [Imperial Iran Airforce]

2nd I dont know what made you say IRIAF is formidable. They have quite a number in terms of varients, but in terms of quantity they are falling down almost annually. Plus the quality is almost dead.

F-14s, F-5, F-4 need replacement quickly

Mirage F-1 are almost untouched in terms of upgrade. & they probably are not even flying it. Plus they need replacement as well.

The only capable aircrafts in inventory, probably, are;

1. MiG-29 Fulcrum [Multirole]
2. Su-25 [Ground attack]

& as far as I know these two are the only aircrafts attention from Iran now days. Some how Su-25 was the only aircraft to make an appearance in recent Iranian war games.

Markus40 · July 10th, 2006

Ohh i See. Well it could be mistaken for Israeli Air Force. (IAF) too?? Haha i think you know what i meant without crossing the Ts and dotting the is. Just relax Mr Sabre. You seem to be a well informed person, and i am curious as to where you get your information from. No impartiality intended.

If the numbers of aircraft you have stated are correct despite the number or vairants, and a war did break out over the bombing of the Nuclear bases in Iran, i think the US Navy could be very vulnerable to attack from such large numbers of aircraft, in a very confined area like the persian gulf. The US Navy is extremely capable, but unfortunatly vulnerable. I think this is the point i wanted to make.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SABRE

1st, its not IAF. IAF = Indian Airforce. The Iranian Airforce is IRIAF [Islamic Republic Iran Airforce], formerly known as IIAF [Imperial Iran Airforce]

2nd I dont know what made you say IRIAF is formidable. They have quite a number in terms of varients, but in terms of quantity they are falling down almost annually. Plus the quality is almost dead.

F-14s, F-5, F-4 need replacement quickly

Mirage F-1 are almost untouched in terms of upgrade. & they probably are not even flying it. Plus they need replacement as well.

The only capable aircrafts in inventory, probably, are;

1. MiG-29 Fulcrum [Multirole]
2. Su-25 [Ground attack]

& as far as I know these two are the only aircrafts attention from Iran now days. Some how Su-25 was the only aircraft to make an appearance in recent Iranian war games.

abramsteve · July 10th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markus40

If the numbers of aircraft you have stated are correct despite the number or vairants, and a war did break out over the bombing of the Nuclear bases in Iran, i think the US Navy could be very vulnerable to attack from such large numbers of aircraft, in a very confined area like the persian gulf. The US Navy is extremely capable, but unfortunatly vulnerable. I think this is the point i wanted to make.

I dont know mate, to me the (IRIAF,IAF whatever) seems on paper to be less capable the the Iraqi airforce in 90-91, and we know what happend to them...

contedicavour · July 11th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by SABRE

Not much information is available on air-to-air & air-to-ground weapons that are in the IRIAF's inventory. It is also unknown whether their MiG-29s are BVR capable or not (But they are suppose to be upgraded to SMT level by Russia this year).

Note: Many sites are claiming that IRIAF, Iran has filled an order for atleast "40" FC-1/JF-17 thunders, along with BVR missiles (although missile not named but its SD-10 for sure). But there has been no confirmation by either CAC/China or PAC/Pakistan, infact there even have been no roumers in news papers or other media sources regarding the deal.

Thanks a lot for the detailed information.
An upgrade of the Fulcrums to SMT standard is the best solution for IRIAF, though I guess the current tensions over Iran's nuclear programmes may slow down the upgrade.
I've read on sinodefence the characteristics of the FC-1/JF17, a good replacement for MIG-21s/F-7s with BVR and LGB capability. A good bird indeed, though I doubt it would be comparable to a Mig-29SMT or SU-30MKK in the air defence role that IRIAF is most likely to need in case of conflict with the US.

cheers

contedicavour · July 11th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by abramsteve

I dont know mate, to me the (IRIAF,IAF whatever) seems on paper to be less capable the the Iraqi airforce in 90-91, and we know what happend to them...

Fully agree with you, IRIAF doesn't stand a chance with its motley collection of obsolescent fighters and earlier versions of the Fulcrum.

cheers