Iran's Air Power: A Deep Dive Into Its Fighter Jet Fleet

Jackie Quigley DVM 19 Jun 2025

The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) stands as a unique entity in modern military aviation, its capabilities shaped by decades of geopolitical isolation and strategic adaptation. Despite facing significant challenges in procuring advanced aircraft, Iran has maintained and evolved its air power, relying on a mix of aging Western-made jets, refurbished Soviet-era platforms, and a growing emphasis on indigenous production. This article will provide a comprehensive Iran fighter jet list, exploring the historical context, current operational fleet, and future aspirations of Iran's aerial combat capabilities.

Understanding Iran's air force is crucial for grasping the broader dynamics of regional security. Unlike many nations that regularly upgrade their fleets with the latest generation aircraft, Iran has been forced to innovate and adapt, making its air force a testament to resilience under pressure. We will delve into the specific types of combat aircraft that form the backbone of the IRIAF, examining their origins, roles, and the strategic significance they hold in Iran's defense posture.

A Legacy Forged: The Early Days of Iranian Air Power
The Core of the Fleet: Western Allies' Legacy Jets
Soviet and Eastern Bloc Additions: A Strategic Diversification
The Rise of Indigenous Production: Iran's Self-Reliance in the Skies
Iran's Current Operational Fighter Jet List (2025 Overview)
Strategic Doctrine and Air Defense: Beyond Fighter Jets
Challenges and Future Outlook for Iran's Air Force

A Legacy Forged: The Early Days of Iranian Air Power

To truly understand the current Iran fighter jet list, one must look back at its foundational years. The history of military aircraft operations in Iran predates the formal establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) as a separate service. Initially, aircraft were operated by the Imperial Iranian Army Aviation. This continued until August 1955, when the air force was officially founded as an independent branch. During the era of the Shah, Iran was a close ally of Western powers, particularly the United States, leading to the acquisition of some of the most advanced American aircraft of the time. This period saw the introduction of iconic fighter jets that, remarkably, still form a significant part of Iran's active inventory today. The reliance on Western technology during this formative period laid the groundwork for a fleet composition that would prove both a blessing and a curse in later decades, providing advanced platforms but eventually leading to dependency issues.

The Core of the Fleet: Western Allies' Legacy Jets

A striking characteristic of the current Iran fighter jet list is the enduring presence of aircraft originally supplied by former Western allies. Despite decades of sanctions and geopolitical shifts, Iran's air force continues to operate a substantial number of jets manufactured in the United States. These include the venerable F-4 Phantom II, the agile F-5 Tiger II, and, perhaps most notably, the sophisticated F-14 Tomcat. These aircraft, acquired primarily in the 1960s and 1970s, have been kept operational through remarkable ingenuity, reverse-engineering, and the development of indigenous maintenance capabilities. For instance, while earlier variants like the F-5A/B have already been retired, the more advanced F-5E/F "Tigers" are still very much in service, having undergone various upgrades to extend their operational lives. The continuous operation of these aging platforms highlights Iran's determination to maintain its air power despite immense external pressures and the difficulty in procuring modern replacements. This reliance on a legacy fleet underscores both the challenges and the unique resilience of the IRIAF.

Soviet and Eastern Bloc Additions: A Strategic Diversification

Following the Iranian Revolution and the subsequent imposition of Western sanctions, Iran sought to diversify its military hardware sources, turning to the Soviet Union and, later, Russia and other Eastern Bloc nations. This strategic shift introduced a new array of aircraft to the Iran fighter jet list, including MiG-29 Fulcrums, Su-24 Fencers, and J-7s (Chinese variant of the MiG-21). A significant, albeit unconventional, boost to Iran's air fleet came during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Ahead of the conflict, numerous Iraqi fighter planes flew to Iran, seeking refuge from coalition air strikes. While initially impounded, these aircraft, including MiG-29s, Su-24s, and Mirage F1s, effectively became part of Iran's inventory, albeit with complex diplomatic implications. In 2007, Iraq formally asked Iran to return some of these scores of Iraqi fighter planes. Iran did eventually return some of the impounded Iraqi military aircraft in late 2014, but a substantial portion remains, contributing to the diversity and, at times, the ambiguity of Iran's aerial assets. This influx of Soviet-designed aircraft provided Iran with platforms capable of different roles than its Western counterparts, enhancing its overall strategic flexibility and operational depth.

The Rise of Indigenous Production: Iran's Self-Reliance in the Skies

Faced with persistent international sanctions that severely restrict its ability to easily procure modern fighter jets, Iran has embarked on an ambitious program of indigenous aircraft development and production. This push for self-reliance is a cornerstone of Iran's military strategy, aiming to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers and ensure the long-term viability of its air force. A prominent example of these efforts is the HESA Kowsar, a domestically manufactured fighter jet. Iran has claimed the Kowsar is heavily upgraded and indigenously made, presenting it as a significant step forward in its aviation industry. However, Western analysts have often described the plane as relatively inefficient as a weapon system when compared to modern fourth or fifth-generation fighters. Despite these critiques, the Kowsar is widely recognized for its potential as a crucial platform for training a new generation of Iranian fighter pilots, providing them with experience on a locally produced jet. Beyond the Kowsar, Iran has also developed other indigenous projects, such as the Saeqeh (a reverse-engineered and modified F-5) and the Azarakhsh. These projects, while not always at the cutting edge of global aviation technology, represent Iran's strategic commitment to building a robust and integrated air defense system and fostering a domestic aerospace industry, which is vital for maintaining its air power in the face of ongoing sanctions.

Iran's Current Operational Fighter Jet List (2025 Overview)

As of 2025, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) presents a unique mosaic of combat aircraft, reflecting its complex history and strategic adaptations. The following represents an overview of the modern aerial fighting capabilities of the IRIAF. According to data available from military factory sources, there are a total of 48 active Iranian Air Force aircraft entries (referring to types or variants in active service) and the service currently counts approximately 400 total units in its active aircraft inventory, encompassing all types, not just fighters. While exact numbers for each type are often estimates due to the secretive nature of military inventories, we can examine the key components that make up the active Iran fighter jet list.

The F-14 Tomcat: A Formidable Yet Aging Interceptor

Perhaps the most iconic aircraft on Iran's roster is the F-14 Tomcat, a formidable long-range interceptor acquired from the United States in the 1970s. Iran was the only foreign operator of this highly capable fighter. Despite its advanced age and the complete lack of official spare parts supply from the US since the revolution, Iran has managed to keep a significant number of its F-14s operational through extensive reverse-engineering, indigenous manufacturing of parts, and innovative maintenance programs. The F-14, with its powerful AWG-9 radar and Phoenix missile capability (though the original Phoenix missiles are likely long past their service life), remains a cornerstone of Iran's air defense strategy, particularly for protecting its airspace against high-altitude threats. Its continued operation is a testament to the IRIAF's technical prowess and determination.

F-4 Phantom II: The Workhorse of the IRIAF

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is undeniably the workhorse of the Iranian Air Force. Acquired in large numbers before the revolution, various versions of the F-4 (D, E, and RF-4E reconnaissance variants) continue to fly. The Phantom is a versatile multirole fighter-bomber, capable of air superiority, interdiction, and reconnaissance missions. Its robust design and adaptability have allowed Iran to integrate indigenous avionics and weaponry, keeping these aging jets relevant in a modern combat environment. While they lack the stealth and advanced electronics of contemporary fighters, their sheer numbers and continuous upgrades mean they still represent a significant component of Iran's aerial strike and defense capabilities. They are frequently seen in exercises and are believed to be the most numerous combat aircraft in the active Iran fighter jet list.

F-5 Tiger II and Indigenous Derivatives: Agility and Local Innovation

The Northrop F-5 Tiger II, particularly the F-5E/F variants, offers the IRIAF a light, agile fighter well-suited for close air support and air-to-air combat. These jets are less complex to maintain than the F-14s or F-4s, making them ideal candidates for indigenous modifications and production. Iran has notably used the F-5 as a basis for its own domestically developed fighter aircraft, such as the Azarakhsh and the Saeqeh. The Saeqeh, often described as a reverse-engineered F-5 with a twin-tail configuration, represents Iran's efforts to enhance the F-5's performance and demonstrate its capabilities in aircraft design and manufacturing. The HESA Kowsar, as mentioned earlier, is another indigenous project that draws heavily on the F-5 design, primarily intended for pilot training and light attack roles. These F-5 derivatives underscore Iran's strategic focus on self-reliance and the continuous evolution of its own defense industry, adding unique entries to the Iran fighter jet list.

Eastern Bloc Fighters: MiG-29s and Su-24s

The MiG-29 Fulcrum, acquired from the Soviet Union and supplemented by some Iraqi examples, serves as Iran's primary modern air superiority fighter, offering a more contemporary air-to-air capability than its aging Western counterparts. While not the latest generation, the MiG-29 is a capable dogfighter and provides a crucial interceptor role. The Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer, a supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft, gives Iran a significant long-range strike capability. These aircraft, also supplemented by Iraqi examples, are vital for deep penetration missions and precision strikes. Their presence highlights Iran's diverse acquisition strategy and its ability to integrate different military doctrines and technologies into a cohesive air force structure. These Russian-designed jets, along with the Chinese J-7s, represent the post-revolution diversification that has become a defining characteristic of the Iran fighter jet list.

Strategic Doctrine and Air Defense: Beyond Fighter Jets

Iran's air power strategy extends far beyond merely possessing a list of fighter jets. Its strategic doctrine prioritizes deterrence and the ability to challenge technologically superior adversaries, a structure that profoundly informs its military investments. Recognizing its inability to easily procure cutting-edge modern fighter jets due to sanctions, Iran has invested heavily in creating a robust and integrated air defense system. This system, comprising various layers of radars, surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries, and command-and-control networks, is designed to deny air superiority to potential aggressors and protect critical infrastructure. While Iran boasts about its offensive capabilities, particularly through its missile programs and the potential use of its older fighter-bombers, the emphasis on air defense is paramount. Large-scale exercises, sometimes involving more than 60 air force fighter jets and approximately 120 munitions, are conducted to test and refine these defensive capabilities, demonstrating Iran's readiness to respond to threats. These operations, which can target dozens of strategic military locations within Iran in simulated scenarios, underscore the nation's focus on deterring aggression and ensuring the survivability of its assets. The combination of an active, albeit aging, Iran fighter jet list and a sophisticated air defense network forms the core of its aerial deterrence strategy.

Challenges and Future Outlook for Iran's Air Force

The challenges facing Iran's air force are substantial. The aging nature of its core fleet, coupled with the difficulty in acquiring spare parts and new, advanced aircraft due to persistent international sanctions, poses significant operational hurdles. Maintaining aircraft that are often five decades old requires immense ingenuity, reverse-engineering capabilities, and a highly skilled technical workforce. While indigenous production efforts like the HESA Kowsar demonstrate Iran's determination for self-reliance, these platforms are generally not considered on par with the latest generation of combat aircraft operated by its regional rivals or global powers. This technological gap is a constant concern for the IRIAF.

However, the future outlook for the Iran fighter jet list may see some shifts. With the expiration of UN arms embargoes, Iran has expressed interest in acquiring more modern aircraft, particularly from Russia. Reports of potential Su-35 Flanker-E acquisitions could significantly modernize Iran's air superiority capabilities, offering a much-needed upgrade to its aging MiG-29s and F-14s. Such an acquisition would represent a substantial leap in technology and combat effectiveness for the IRIAF, potentially altering the regional air power balance. Regardless of future procurements, Iran will likely continue its dual strategy: maintaining its existing fleet through upgrades and indigenous support, while simultaneously pursuing limited, high-impact acquisitions to bolster its most critical capabilities. The evolution of Iran's combat aircraft fleet, from key fighter jets to indigenous manufacturing, will continue to be a critical factor in understanding its strategic significance in regional air power dynamics.

Conclusion

The Iran fighter jet list is a compelling narrative of resilience, adaptation, and strategic necessity. From its origins rooted in Western military cooperation to its current reliance on a diverse mix of legacy jets, Soviet-era acquisitions, and a growing indigenous production capability, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force has carved out a unique position in global military aviation. Despite facing decades of sanctions and technological limitations, Iran has demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in keeping its fleet operational and developing its own defense industry. This commitment to maintaining a credible air force, alongside a robust air defense system, underpins Iran's strategic doctrine of deterrence.

The ongoing efforts to upgrade existing platforms and the potential for future acquisitions highlight Iran's determination to remain a significant regional air power. What are your thoughts on Iran's air power evolution and its strategic implications? Share your insights in the comments below! If you found this analysis insightful and wish to delve deeper into military aviation, consider exploring our other articles on global military forces and technological advancements.

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Iran's Air Power: A Deep Dive Into Its Fighter Jet Fleet

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