24/7 Wall St. Insights
- We used data from the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication.
- Operation Kaman 99, Iran’s most major air raid during the Iraq-Iran war, reportedly had the strength of over 140 aircraft.
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The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) is a small but mighty force in the Middle East region. Despite sanctions placed on them following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, they have worked to improve upon their relatively small and antiquated arsenal of aircraft. As of April 2024, the IRIAF has a few dozen aircraft in service that largely consist of Russian, Chinese, and American-made equipment. They were able to overcome their status after sanctions to play an important role in the Iraq-Iran war. Operation Kaman 99, Iran’s most major air raid during the war, reportedly had the strength of over 140 aircraft.
According to a 2023 assessment by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Iran’s military is made up of approximately 787,000 total personnel. It’s comprised of four branches: the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, and the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force. Global Fire Power recognizes it as a top 15 global military power.
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 the Iranian military branch under which they serve.
Why This Matters
24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look into Iran’s military aircraft capabilities to give you greater insight into the current geopolitical landscape. While Iran may not have the most updated aircraft in its inventory, the current equipment is a key factor in the balance of power within the Middle East. The global balance of power has far-reaching effects on the United States economy, threatening our stability and security at the national and local levels.
Scroll below to see the fighter jets and combat aircraft in the Iranian Air Force:
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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