24/7 Wall St. Insights
- We used data from the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal
- There are currently 16 different types of aircraft in service in Iran
- Also, 2 Dividend Legends To Hold Forever
Israel and Hamas’ continued escalation with one another has been at the forefront of the world’s minds for some time now. Tensions between Iran and Israel are also increasing as it is apparent Iran is backing Hamas and has provided weapons to them for years. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent address to the United States Congress showcases his growing concern and need for allies in the coming days. While Iran might not have the most powerful military in the world, it does have a formidable air force, which could come into play if tensions continue to rise.
24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look into Iran’s military aircraft capabilities. To identify every Iranian combat aircraft currently in service, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ordered these aircraft based on how many are currently in active service. We also included supplemental data on the type of aircraft, top speed, armament and which Iranian military branch they serve under.
Any further escalation from here by either side could easily lead to a full-fledged conflict involving national air forces. How it would play out from here would be anyone’s guess. Many are hoping for a peaceful resolution, but at the moment, that appears impossible.
Why Is This Important?
Conflict in this region of the world can significantly affect oil prices. Rising oil prices can cause inflation, slow economic growth, and impact investments. A full-out war in this area is something that would cause lasting damage worldwide.
Here is a look at all of Iran’s fighter jets and combat aircraft currently in service.
16. Bell 206
- Type: Light utility helicopter
- Active aircraft: 5
- Top speed: 122 mph
- Armament: 7.62mm machine guns
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, Islamic Republic of Iran Army
15. S-65/RH-53D
- Type: Heavy-lift transport helicopter
- Active aircraft: 6
- Top speed: 196 mph
- Armament: 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Navy
14. S-61/ASH-3D
- Type: Anti-submarine warfare helicopter
- Active aircraft: 8
- Top speed: 166 mph
- Armament: Mark 44 / 46 torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, naval depth charges, 7.62mm machine guns
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Navy
13. Su-22
- Type: Strike fighter
- Active aircraft: 9
- Top speed: 718 mph
- Armament: 30mm autocannons, conventional drop bombs, guided bombs, rocket pods, gun pods, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles
- Military branch: Iranian Revolutionary Guard
12. Bell 212
- Type: Medium-lift utility/transport helicopter
- Active aircraft: 10
- Top speed: 140 mph
- Armament: 7.62mm machine guns
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, Islamic Republic of Iran Navy
11. Mirage F1EQ
- Type: Interceptor aircraft
- Active aircraft: 12
- Top speed: 1,453 mph
- Armament: 30mm DEFA internal automatic cannons, Sidewinder missiles, Magic missiles, Matra missiles, conventional drop bombs, rocket pods, Armat missiles
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
10. AH-1J
- Type: Dedicated two-seat attack helicopter
- Active aircraft: 13
- Top speed: 175 mph
- Armament: 20mm M197 triple barrel Gatling gun, Hydra rocket pods, Zuni rocket pods, BGM-TOW missiles, Sidewinder missiles
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Army
9. F-7
- Type: Interceptor / Strike fighter aircraft
- Active aircraft: 17
- Top speed: 1,367 mph
- Armament: 30mm internal cannons, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, conventional drop bombs, rocket pods
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
8. MiG-29
- Type: Lightweight multirole fighter aircraft
- Active aircraft: 18
- Top speed: 1,519 mph
- Armament: 30mm GSh-1 internal automatic cannon, Alamo missiles, Adder missiles, rocket pods, conventional drop bombs, guided bombs
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
7. Mi-171
- Type: Medium-lift transport helicopter
- Active aircraft: 22
- Top speed: 158 mph
- Armament: Shturm missiles, rocket pods, 23mm cannon pods, 7.62mm machine guns
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, Iranian Revolutionary Guard
6. Su-24
- Type: Long-range strike/attack aircraft
- Active aircraft: 23
- Top speed: 1,439 mph
- Armament: 23mm GSh internal six-barrel cannon, Aphid missiles, Archer missiles, Kingbolt missiles, Krypton missiles, rocket pods, conventional drop bombs, guided bombs
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
5. Bell 214
- Type: Medium-lift utility helicopter
- Active aircraft: 24
- Top speed: 162 mph
- Armament: 7.62mm machine guns
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Army
4. F-5E
- Type: Multirole fighter aircraft
- Active aircraft: 35
- Top speed: 1,077 mph
- Armament: 20mm M39A2 automatic cannons, Sidewinder missiles, Maverick missiles, rocket pods, conventional drop bombs, guided bombs
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
3. CH-47C
- Type: Medium-lift, tandem rotor transport helicopter
- Active aircraft: 40
- Top speed: 180 mph
- Armament: 7.62mm machine guns
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, Islamic Republic of Iran Army
2. F-14
- Type: Swing-wing, carrierborne fleet defense fighter
- Active aircraft: 41
- Top speed: 1,544 mph
- Armament: 20mm internal Gatling gun, Phoenix missiles, Sparrow missiles, Sidewinder missiles, conventional drop bombs, guided bombs
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
1. F-4D/E/RF-4E
- Type: Strike fighter
- Active aircraft: 63
- Top speed: 1,473 mph
- Armament: 20mm M61 Vulcan, Skyflash missiles, Sparrow missiles, Sidewinder missiles, rocket pods, gun pods, conventional drop bombs, guided bombs
- Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
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