24/7 Wall St. Insights
- Iran’s Air Force flies 63 of the top supersonic jet on this list, which flies at speeds up to 1,473 mph.
- If conflict was to break out in Iran it could cause issues with oil prices or regional destabilization.
- Iran currently has 16 jets and combat aircraft in active service.
- Also: Discover the “Next NVIDIA”
When you think of an Air Force, you probably imagine a diverse fleet of planes with different capabilities and armament. But Turkey and Iran are taking a new approach. The countries recently announced the development of aircraft carriers — or ships that serve as a base for military aircraft — that can deploy drones. This aims to project naval power while also showing their air forces’ power and unique strengths in unmanned aerial warfare. (Here are the biggest drone defense companies.)
While drone warfare may be more heavily used in the future, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force and Army both rely on various aircraft for strategic advantage and support. Iran has experienced numerous conflicts over the past few decades. But this has given their pilots the ability to gain hands-on combat experience. Through this, Iranian Air Force members have gotten to build their skills in operational conditions, preparing them for the future. These air capabilities are especially important for Iran to project power to enemies. (What happens if Israel and Iran go to war?)
Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at Iran’s military aircraft capabilities by exploring which aircraft Iran has in its fleet. 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 of each aircraft 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.
Why Is This Important?
Middle Eastern power dynamics are fraught with conflict. But this conflict can have long-lasting global effects. Any conflict involving Iran could disrupt oil prices and supplies with widespread economic consequences. Rising oil prices can cause inflation, slow economic grow, and impact investments. A full-out war in this area is something that would cause lasting damage worldwide. Being aware of what aircraft Iran has in its arsenal shows how prepared the country would be should war ever break out.
Here are 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
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)
Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.
Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.
Click here now to get started.
The post Israel Is Up Against 63 of These Fighter Jets in an Air War With Iran appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..