IRIAF | News and Discussions

[sha ah]

No the Arabs, especially Gulf vassal states, are not allowed to purchase Russian arms. Under US pressure both Egypt and Indonesia have been forced to cancel their purchases.

The Americans have already gained access to flankers and fulcrums. Several former Warsaw Pact nations are now members of NATO.

The issue isn't the airframe, it's the new sensors and electronic warfare suite which makes Russian variants formidable.

I do not believe that IRGC should get a monopoly on everything. They do make things happen but look at their budget compared to other departments.

Ideally I believe that Iran should purchase 3-4 dozen SU-35s and 5-10 dozen SU-30s. Of course I'm referring to the best available variants along with the software codes, technology transfers and built under license in Iran.

Iran has to get rid of their F-4s they're simply too outdated. 50+ years and counting. I believe Iran will still hold onto the F-5s since Iran has fully reverse engineered this model and because they're so cost effective. The F-14s yes upgrade the remaining few squadrons and keep them for a while longer.

MIG-29s should be upgraded and perhaps Iran should get some MIG-35s, maybe build some under license with technology transfers ?

The J-7s, Mirages, SU-22s should be sidelined, theyre outdated, perhaps keep a handful, put them in storage or find a buyer ?

The SU-24s, they're still useful for launching cruise or hypersonic missiles from high altitudes. Perhaps upgrade them or if Iran can get it's hands on some MIG-25s at a bargain rate ?

Despite all the discussions we used to have during IMF times or here, people need to understand something now after all these years. IRIAF is just not on the agenda of the people who actually runs Iran. You get Rouhani, Raisi or whatever faces but IRIAF is not going to go anywhere. They get less money or attention which makes sense because battleground is in constant evolution and our priority is BM/CM + UCAV strike packages for attack and SAMs for air defense. With the budget we have, we will barely get four squadrons of some totally new Russian fighter like Sukhoi-35 at best which will just be another maintenance mess unless they get it in high numbers like 7-8 squadrons replacing all the F-4E/D/RF, MF-1 EQ, F-5E, F-7N with one multirole platform performing all the duties. That is not easy considering thatwe have zero infrastructure for Sukhoi Flanker family. That is like daydreaming considering that IRIAF planners are cash-strapped dumb propagandists and nothing more. We have seen that with Azarakhsh, Saeghe, Kowsar, Qaher dramas. They give moderate levels upgrades to a 3rd generation fighter jet and start calling it new. Compare that to our naval or aerospace program.

IRIAF's only solution is to be merged with IRGC-AF, IRGC makes things happen, they have shown that with missiles, AD programs, and unmanned aerial platforms. They will do the same with IRIAF as well. Maybe we will finally see the retirement of Shahi relics and Saddams legacies being replaced with single multi-role platforms like Su-35S. A more realistic composition of IRIAF+IRGCAF will be something like (new procurement is underlined):

Interceptors (72 x 4th gen)
- 4-5 squadrons x F-14 AM (3.5-4 squadrons are currently operational, 1 more can be refurbished to AM standard)
- 2 squadrons x Mig-29 SMT (5 new airframes required and rest upgraded by Mikyon itself with R-77/RVV-AE to SMT standards)

Multirole (108 x half 4++ and half 3.5-4.0 gen)
- 4 Squadrons x Su-35S (Some level local assembly with TOT should be procured)
- 5 Squadrons x F-4 E/D (Project "Dowran" upgraded with Chinese 4th generation combat suite upto JH-7A standards with JL-10A radars, minimum upto J-8IIM standards)

Attack (60 + mass produced UCAVs)
- 3 squadrons x Su-24M2 (equipped with KH-31, domestic long range ALCM)
- 2 Squadrons x IRGC upgraded Su-22 (1 already exists, another one can be raised with domestic long range ALCM packages)
- 50 x Shahed-129/Gaza
- 50 x Simorgh Flying Wings with Naval Strike capability
- 100 x Mohajer-6 with Naval Strike capability
- 100 x Karrars

AEW
5 x local IrAn-140 platforms with 600-800 km tracking ranges, something on lines of Israeli EITAM.


Retirement: F-5 family (Saeghe, Kowsar), Qaher , Mirages, F-7, Su-25

... Now this is an airforce to be feared by regional adversaries atleast and if combined with our level missile power, it can be lethal. It is realistic and may save IRIAF in less money then we would have wasted on mass producing some local F-5 copy just for the sake of having a local fighter.

 

[TheImmortal]

Ideally I believe that Iran should purchase 3-4 dozen SU-35s and 5-10 dozen SU-30s. Of course I'm referring to the best available variants along with the software codes, technology transfers and built under license in Iran.

Anything else you want? Maybe the launch codes to Russian nukes? Maybe Putin’s personal account numbers with Russian Central Bank?

what world do we live in that Russia would give its most successful fighter jet...the SU-35 and SU-30 AND Full ToT of its “best variants” To the Eye-ranians....a bunch of brown people?

Iran should kiss the ground Russia walks on for next 25 years if they even assist on how to reverse engineer AL-21 the 1st Gen variant from decades ago.

That’s how rare THAT would be and groundbreaking for Iranian aviation. Yet you are sitting here asking....no....demanding....for the entire kitchen, house, and 5 car garage.

You guys need to forget Russia. Set expectations low so you won’t be disappointed when another 5 years pass and nothing happens.

 

[yugocrosrb95]

Iran can use its production of local F-5 to design and produce modern fighter jet.

It requires a single turbofan engine with output of two J85-GE-21 turbojets and implementing divertless supersonic inlet would make jet considerably lighter, aerodynamic and take up less space. Then landing gear of Qaher could be implemented hence wings could be made simpler and lighter or stronger to carry heavier loads.

New nose design to allow larger radar antenna along removal of autocannons and its ammunition to allow for liquid cooling to be implemented.

 

[Hack-Hook]

Despite all the discussions we used to have during IMF times or here, people need to understand something now after all these years. IRIAF is just not on the agenda of the people who actually runs Iran. You get Rouhani, Raisi or whatever faces but IRIAF is not going to go anywhere. They get less money or attention which makes sense because battleground is in constant evolution and our priority is BM/CM + UCAV strike packages for attack and SAMs for air defense. With the budget we have, we will barely get four squadrons of some totally new Russian fighter like Sukhoi-35 at best which will just be another maintenance mess unless they get it in high numbers like 7-8 squadrons replacing all the F-4E/D/RF, MF-1 EQ, F-5E, F-7N with one multirole platform performing all the duties. That is not easy considering thatwe have zero infrastructure for Sukhoi Flanker family. That is like daydreaming considering that IRIAF planners are cash-strapped dumb propagandists and nothing more. We have seen that with Azarakhsh, Saeghe, Kowsar, Qaher dramas. They give moderate levels upgrades to a 3rd generation fighter jet and start calling it new. Compare that to our naval or aerospace program.

IRIAF's only solution is to be merged with IRGC-AF, IRGC makes things happen, they have shown that with missiles, AD programs, and unmanned aerial platforms. They will do the same with IRIAF as well. Maybe we will finally see the retirement of Shahi relics and Saddams legacies being replaced with single multi-role platforms like Su-35S. A more realistic composition of IRIAF+IRGCAF will be something like (new procurement is underlined):

Interceptors (72 x 4th gen)
- 4-5 squadrons x F-14 AM (3.5-4 squadrons are currently operational, 1 more can be refurbished to AM standard)
- 2 squadrons x Mig-29 SMT (5 new airframes required and rest upgraded by Mikyon itself with R-77/RVV-AE to SMT standards)

Multirole (108 x half 4++ and half 3.5-4.0 gen)
- 4 Squadrons x Su-35S (Some level local assembly with TOT should be procured)
- 5 Squadrons x F-4 E/D (Project "Dowran" upgraded with Chinese 4th generation combat suite upto JH-7A standards with JL-10A radars, minimum upto J-8IIM standards)

Attack (60 + mass produced UCAVs)
- 3 squadrons x Su-24M2 (equipped with KH-31, domestic long range ALCM)
- 2 Squadrons x IRGC upgraded Su-22 (1 already exists, another one can be raised with domestic long range ALCM packages)
- 50 x Shahed-129/Gaza
- 50 x Simorgh Flying Wings with Naval Strike capability
- 100 x Mohajer-6 with Naval Strike capability
- 100 x Karrars

AEW
5 x local IrAn-140 platforms with 600-800 km tracking ranges, something on lines of Israeli EITAM.


Retirement: F-5 family (Saeghe, Kowsar), Qaher , Mirages, F-7, Su-25

... Now this is an airforce to be feared by regional adversaries atleast and if combined with our level missile power, it can be lethal. It is realistic and may save IRIAF in less money then we would have wasted on mass producing some local F-5 copy just for the sake of having a local fighter.

really not gonna happen , first of al if you want replace one of those airplane you mentioned then Su-30 or Su-35 or anything in that class is not your answer, you want something like Mig-35 , J-10 or F-18 or F-16 or JAS 39 Gripen
Su-35 , Su57 , J-20 or j-31 is something that must replace F-14 and I assure you they won't sale them to Iran in near future

by the way Qaher was not IRIAF project but rather some politician project and F-5 dravites are not wrong choice considering our technical capabilities ad the funds assigned to airforce and they are what they were designed for . Advanced trainer and CAS.

by the way i like to see what IRGC do with the budget airforce assigned
and what you call moderate upgrade to a 3rd generation airplane i say turning a 2nd generation airplane into a 4th generation .

and in your dream that IRGC take over IRIAF , wonder what achievement IRGC have with airplanes adding a 70s tech to 60's airplane ?

 

[Deino]

Iran can use its production of local F-5 to design and produce modern fighter jet.

It requires a single turbofan engine with output of two J85-GE-21 turbojets and implementing divertless supersonic inlet would make jet considerably lighter, aerodynamic and take up less space. Then landing gear of Qaher could be implemented hence wings could be made simpler and lighter or stronger to carry heavier loads.

New nose design to allow larger radar antenna along removal of autocannons and its ammunition to allow for liquid cooling to be implemented.

Why reinventing the wheel ... this type is already available exactly as you describe it: The JF-17

But from my understanding, the IRIAF is not interested in a small fighter.

 

[yugocrosrb95]

Why reinventing the wheel ... this type is already available exactly as you describe it: The JF-17

But from my understanding, the IRIAF is not interested in a small fighter.

JF-17 is partially produced in Pakistan and another issue that China won't dare to endanger relationship with Israel nor with Saudi Arabia that it now provides ballistic missile technology.

Another is that Iran can produce own small fighter jet with domestically produced F-5E/F Tiger II from which Iran could develop a derivative with extensive redesign while reusing as much manufacturing tools and components as possible in order to reduce research and development time and cost. If Iran was to develop a turbofan that has half the specific fuel consumption as J85-GE-21 then range would be nearly double of F-5E/F and with powerful enough radar along being able to carry AIM-23B / Fakour-90 that would allow 500-550km interception radius.

 

[TheImmortal]

Russia keeps Iran waiting on advanced weapons - Asia Times

When Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visits Russia this month he is expected to seek a deal for the purchase of sophisticated weapons to counter potential

asiatimes.com

 

[sha ah]

The article states that Russia refused to sell Iran the S-400. In reality Russia offered the option to upgrade to the S-400. However Iran refused because, as Turkey has found out the hard way, the vital maintenance on the S-400 can only be done by Russian technicians. Russia also refuses to give Turkey the software codes and the system likely has a kill switch in place.

Only time will tell whether Iran and Russia will go ahead with a large scale military procurement deal but realistically Egypt, Algeria, Indonesia have all cancelled their weapons purchases from Russia. India is also shifting more towards western platforms. If the Russians refuse this weapons deal from Iran it will be the last nail in the coffin for them.

It remains to be seen whether Russia can broker some kind of agreement with NATO, but even if they do, can Russia trust them to keep their promises ? The Russians, if they're smart, will use this 20 year deal with Iran as a hedge against western pressure.

Iran should also purchase some hardware from China as a hedge against Russia. Putting all its eggs in one basket would be a mistake for Iran.

The fact that Indonesia, Egypt, Algeria have all cancelled their deals with Russia plays perfectly into Iran's hands. That's alot of fighter jets with no buyers.

So that's

Egypt
30 SU-35 jets cancelled

Algeria
16 SU-30 jets cancelled
atleast 12 SU-35 jets cancelled
atleast 12 SU-57 jets cancelled

Indonesia
12-24 SU-35 jets cancelled

Allegedly Russia has already produced atleast 12 SU-35 fighter jets for Egypt and now they have no buyers.

As for the part of the article which states that Israel can pressure Russia not to sell to Iran, well Israel has already betrayed Russia. According to the following article

Egypt, Algeria, Indonesia reject Su-35 fighter jet deals with Russia

Governments of Egypt, Algeria and Indonesia rejected the potential acquisition of Russian modern Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets amid economic sanctions against Russia, targeting its oil industry, defense, dual-use goods and sensitive technologies, according to people familiar with the matter. The...

defence-blog.com

“The Russian defense industry lost three large orders for its Su-35 fighters at once due to the failure to replace scanned array radar and avionics, which were previously imported from a number of European countries and Israel,” sources told Defence Blog.

So Israel, under US pressure, has left Russia out in the cold. The Russians will now have to reverse engineer various components for their export variants. This however will take some time to accomplish.

At this point the Russians need an injection of cash in order to fund their new weapons systems like SU-57, Checkmate, S-500, hypersonic missile development, Armata platform, etc and now they need even more cash to reverse engineer the parts that they can no longer obtain from Israel and various EU countries.

If you think about it, signing a $10 billion dollar deal with Iran makes perfect sense for Russia considering the circumstances. For one thing, in their current predicament, they are badly in need of the cash. Second, the Russians must be livid that Israel, EU, under US pressure are refusing to sell them radar and avionics equipment. Signing this deal with Iran is a perfect way for the Russians to access much needed funds and retalite against their rivals.

Now some have previously stated that the Israelis or Americans might buy these fighter jets so that Iran doesn't get them. Well $10 billion is not a small amount of money. If the US, Israelis are willing to spent that kind of money because of Iran, then so be it. That's a win for Iran if you ask me

Wouldn't it be funny if the Russians went ahead with that deal, selling the jets to the west and then they built more and then sold them to Iran anyways ? That would be hilarious but realistically the Russians are on thin ice with Iran after the S-300 fiasco. If they test Iran's patience, Iran will very likely turn its back on Russia just like the rest of their potential buyers already have.

Also something else to consider. If the Russians cannot acquire radar and avionics components for the export variant of the Su-35, does that mean that they will have to equip the rest of their Su-35s with domestic components in the near future ?

So 12 SU-35s have already been built. If Iran orders 24 then will the other 12 be equipped with the same radar and avionics as the Russian variants ? or perhaps they will be watered down somehow, though I doubt Iran will settle for anything inferior to the export variants already sold to Egypt.

I suppose only time will tell, but realistically this is all playing into Iran's hands quite well.

Russia keeps Iran waiting on advanced weapons - Asia Times

When Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visits Russia this month he is expected to seek a deal for the purchase of sophisticated weapons to counter potential

asiatimes.com

 

[sha ah]

The Chinese already offered Iran the JF-17 in exchange for oil. Iran however wanted to exchange oil for the J-10. China and Iran could not come to an agreement. The JF-17 is like a watered down, poor mans F-16. After all this time Iran wants something worthwhile.

JF-17 is partially produced in Pakistan and another issue that China won't dare to endanger relationship with Israel nor with Saudi Arabia that it now provides ballistic missile technology.

Another is that Iran can produce own small fighter jet with domestically produced F-5E/F Tiger II from which Iran could develop a derivative with extensive redesign while reusing as much manufacturing tools and components as possible in order to reduce research and development time and cost. If Iran was to develop a turbofan that has half the specific fuel consumption as J85-GE-21 then range would be nearly double of F-5E/F and with powerful enough radar along being able to carry AIM-23B / Fakour-90 that would allow 500-550km interception radius.

 

[drmeson]

No the Arabs, especially Gulf vassal states, are not allowed to purchase Russian arms. Under US pressure both Egypt and Indonesia have been forced to cancel their purchases.

The Americans have already gained access to flankers and fulcrums. Several former Warsaw Pact nations are now members of NATO.

The issue isn't the airframe, it's the new sensors and electronic warfare suite which makes Russian variants formidable.

I do not believe that IRGC should get a monopoly on everything. They do make things happen but look at their budget compared to other departments.

Ideally I believe that Iran should purchase 3-4 dozen SU-35s and 5-10 dozen SU-30s. Of course I'm referring to the best available variants along with the software codes, technology transfers and built under license in Iran.

Iran has to get rid of their F-4s they're simply too outdated. 50+ years and counting. I believe Iran will still hold onto the F-5s since Iran has fully reverse engineered this model and because they're so cost effective. The F-14s yes upgrade the remaining few squadrons and keep them for a while longer.

MIG-29s should be upgraded and perhaps Iran should get some MIG-35s, maybe build some under license with technology transfers ?

The J-7s, Mirages, SU-22s should be sidelined, theyre outdated, perhaps keep a handful, put them in storage or find a buyer ?

The SU-24s, they're still useful for launching cruise or hypersonic missiles from high altitudes. Perhaps upgrade them or if Iran can get it's hands on some MIG-25s at a bargain rate ?

You my friend have little idea of complex relationship Iran has with Russia. What if I tell you that Iran is more wary of Russian ambitions in the region esp in the Caucasus than US/NATO. It will be the biggest victory for Iran if it can get out a relatively smaller order of 3-4 squadrons of a 4+ generation fighter like SU-30SM let alone anything more advanced like SU-35S.

No F-4 E/D are not useless. There is a reason that they are or were recently still in use by nations like Japan, Greece, Turkey, Korea. They are reliable attack platforms that Iran has proper infrastructure for. We already superbly maintain them (very low crash rate), upgrade them with local weaponry like C-802/3 Ghader AShCM. They are large with so much space that you can literally put any modern combat suite on them (remember Super Phantom of Israel). If you have heavily upgraded F-4E/Ds like what we heard of in the Dowran project then these are 3.5-4.0 generation platforms, which can inflict heavy damage on the enemy ground and sea targets. Dowran Project was supposed to be the integration of ... get this ... integration of KLJ-10 or JL-10A radar (JH-7A) or Type 1473H (J-10A) radars will enable these fighters to fire PL-12 like long-range BVR missiles. They already lift our local LACMs so they can form a formidable force of 6 x squadrons. This was a very ambitious project ... and few aircrafts did receive the upgrades but lack of funding and dumbness of IRIAF got in the middle of this upgrade again. They focussed on Kowsar like tiny fighter projects instead of Phantoms. While IRGC-AF brought out of commission Su-22 back to life and upgraded them up with Soumar long range LACMs, IRIAF lost the opportunity to bring the F-4 fleet to 4.0 generation.

Mig-35 does not suit Iranian needs. Its an interceptor disguised as a multirole fighter.

Iran can use its production of local F-5 to design and produce modern fighter jet.

It requires a single turbofan engine with output of two J85-GE-21 turbojets and implementing divertless supersonic inlet would make jet considerably lighter, aerodynamic and take up less space. Then landing gear of Qaher could be implemented hence wings could be made simpler and lighter or stronger to carry heavier loads.

New nose design to allow larger radar antenna along removal of autocannons and its ammunition to allow for liquid cooling to be implemented.

F-5 or its local copies like Saeghe or Kowsar are not suitable for the modern requirements of IRIAF. First they are too tiny to fit any modern-day 4+ generation radars that Iran can get from China. They tried to enlarge its radome in first Saeghe prototype (cant remember its serial number) which had square intakes in Blue angels paint scheme. That destabilized the aircraft in roll performance that they had to revert the air intakes to the original C shape of F-5E. Secondly, it has tiny ranges. So you have a fighter that is small, cant lift heavy modern radars or multiple BVR missiles, you cant change its aerodynamics because that failed in Saeghe, and it has a small range so even if by miracle you drag it to some F-20 or FC-1 standard which Kowsar is supposed to be like. It will be still be nothing more, but a point defender and will require AEW datalinking support (Brazilian F-5M case) which means more $ and you are stuck ages behind your adversaries who are now operating EF-2000 and F-35 ... How is that for strategic balance? I know why IRIAF and HESA kept their view on F-5 and its J-85 but that just resulted into a waste of time, effort, and money and nothing else. HESA should have focussed on F-4 or F-14 from the start.

Why reinventing the wheel ... this type is already available exactly as you describe it: The JF-17

View attachment 807580


But from my understanding, the IRIAF is not interested in a small fighter.

This is a 4.0 generation light fighter, purpose-built for defense of small geography like. It does not suit Iranian needs which is defence of a large geography and PLAAF itself did not purchase it for same reason

 

[drmeson]

really not gonna happen , first of al if you want replace one of those airplane you mentioned then Su-30 or Su-35 or anything in that class is not your answer, you want something like Mig-35 , J-10 or F-18 or F-16 or JAS 39 Gripen
Su-35 , Su57 , J-20 or j-31 is something that must replace F-14 and I assure you they won't sale them to Iran in near future

That is not written in Quran that we need to replace interceptor with interceptor and attack with attack. Airforces in modern times are replacing old interceptors and attack fighter squadrons with single multirole platforms to save maintenance and operational costs. Israel shrunk its fleet of Mirage-3, Mirage-5 (Kfir/Nesher), F-4E, F-16, F-15, A-4 to just F-16, F-15 within a span of 15-20 years. Turkey did same, reducing to just two types of fighters.

by the way Qaher was not IRIAF project but rather some politician project and F-5 dravites are not wrong choice considering our technical capabilities ad the funds assigned to airforce and they are what they were designed for . Advanced trainer and CAS.

F-5 derivatives are strategically wrong for IRIAF. We are a large country where midget relics like F-5 serve no purpose other than just point defence which was ok in past but not anymore. Are we seeing other nations of our size in the region doing same ? Saudis, Turks, Israelis, Egyptians are all operating larger multirole fighters now and we are trying to replicate the midgetest of them all whose nose cant fit any decent radar for BVR attack.

by the way i like to see what IRGC do with the budget airforce assigned
and what you call moderate upgrade to a 3rd generation airplane i say turning a 2nd generation airplane into a 4th generation .

moderate level upgrade for F-4 comes from China which I gave details of in the above post. It has less to do with IRGC or IRIAF but more of political will of our decision makers. IRGC is more decisive and like I said they make things do as evident from our aerospace program. The fact that they are more closer to decision makers means they can pull things off easily compared to IRIAF lazy folks.

and in your dream that IRGC take over IRIAF , wonder what achievement IRGC have with airplanes adding a 70s tech to 60's airplane ?

Imagine a world where our missile program was in hands of Artesh and UCAV program was in hands of IRIAF ... We would have been invaded ...

 

[sha ah]

WTF is the point of spending a fortune on a fighter jet if a foreign country can basically turn it off on you at anytime?

Russia doesn't have to give Iran technology transfers for SU-35, however the software codes are a must for any weapons system.

For the SU-30 however, full technology transfers, software codes and local production in Iran are a must.

In any case, it's not as if the SU-35 is on par with Rafale or F-22. It's actually based on an old design. Remember the flanker was introduced almost 40 years ago. The SU-35 is merely a glorified flanker. Realistically Iran should get technology transfers now that I think about it.

Anyways Russia can either cooperate with Iran or they can sell their sh#t to Egypt, Algeria, Indonesia. Oh wait, they can't.

it's their choice. Iran won't settle for BS. If not Iran will put more money into mass producing more and more missiles and drones and buy weapons from China for much cheaper.

India is also moving away from Russian hardware. Russia can't even mass produce SU-57 or Armata because of a lack of funds.

Chinese are taking most of Russia's customers and the Chinese do not need to buy Russian hardware anymore. Well maybe the S-500, but that's about it.

In the end Russians can take it or leave it. Their choice.

Anything else you want? Maybe the launch codes to Russian nukes? Maybe Putin’s personal account numbers with Russian Central Bank?

what world do we live in that Russia would give its most successful fighter jet...the SU-35 and SU-30 AND Full ToT of its “best variants” To the Eye-ranians....a bunch of brown people?

Iran should kiss the ground Russia walks on for next 25 years if they even assist on how to reverse engineer AL-21 the 1st Gen variant from decades ago.

That’s how rare THAT would be and groundbreaking for Iranian aviation. Yet you are sitting here asking....no....demanding....for the entire kitchen, house, and 5 car garage.

You guys need to forget Russia. Set expectations low so you won’t be disappointed when another 5 years pass and nothing happens.

 

[sha ah]

I don't think that Iran is very weary of Russian ambitions in the Caucasus. Even if Russia expanded to the Soviet era borders, Iran wouldn't care that much. In the Caucasus the only thing Iran is concerned about is the expansion of Turkish influence because it might conflict with Iran's Azeri minority.

The Russians don't have too many choices at the moment. Algeria, Indonesia, Egypt just cancelled their deals. That's not chump change. At the same time NATO is expanding towards them steadily. India doesn't want to buy their jets anymore and is shifting away from Russian hardware all together, being heavily influenced by the Americans/French/west. China has no more need for Russian hardware other than perhaps the S-500, maybe if Russia is lucky.

All of this gives Iran quite a bit of leverage for the upcoming deal. If not Iran will simply buy from China. If not Iran will simply put more money into mass producing more advanced missiles/drones, etc.

With the Egypt/Algeria/Indonesia deals cancelled, that's at least $5-$10 billion out the window. Iran is offering Russia $10 billion dollars. That is not chump change. Aside from that Iran is a solid, reliable partner. Iran is not the US or some unreliable partner that randomly rips up deals or abandon allies, Even when Assad was in dire straits Iran never let him down

Anyways it's up to Russia. They can take it or leave it.

F-4 it's not that it's a bad platform. It's excellent, but airframes have a limit. 50 years and counting, Iran's F-4s are now long past their expiry. Perhaps one or two dozen can last another decade or two and that would be a miracle.

F-5s. with AWACS and newer avionics and radar it's excellent for Iran's assymetrical doctrine and swarm tactics. Yes it's a limited platform but Iran can produce them for a few million dollars fully loaded and at the same time 4 of them can be transported in a Boeing 737.

The MIG-35, yeah Iran doesn't need them, but if Iran upgrades their MIG-29s, adding a squadron or two of MIG-35s, if the price is right, is not a bad option. It all depends on the price.

Iran's MIG-24s should also be upgraded because they're great for launching cruise or hypersonic missiles. MIG-25s, again if the price is right 2 squadrons would be great for launching hypersonic missiles. Fully loaded that jet is a beast for BVR engagements. It's so fast that it can outrun pretty much anything.

You my friend have little idea of complex relationship Iran has with Russia. What if I tell you that Iran is more wary of Russian ambitions in the region esp in the Caucasus than US/NATO. It will be the biggest victory for Iran if it can get out a relatively smaller order of 3-4 squadrons of a 4+ generation fighter like SU-30SM let alone anything more advanced like SU-35S.

No F-4 E/D are not useless. There is a reason that they are or were recently still in use by nations like Japan, Greece, Turkey, Korea. They are reliable attack platforms that Iran has proper infrastructure for. We already superbly maintain them (very low crash rate), upgrade them with local weaponry like C-802/3 Ghader AShCM. They are large with so much space that you can literally put any modern combat suite on them (remember Super Phantom of Israel). If you have heavily upgraded F-4E/Ds like what we heard of in the Dowran project then these are 3.5-4.0 generation platforms, which can inflict heavy damage on the enemy ground and sea targets. Dowran Project was supposed to be the integration of ... get this ... integration of KLJ-10 or JL-10A radar (JH-7A) or Type 1473H (J-10A) radars will enable these fighters to fire PL-12 like long-range BVR missiles. They already lift our local LACMs so they can form a formidable force of 6 x squadrons. This was a very ambitious project ... and few aircrafts did receive the upgrades but lack of funding and dumbness of IRIAF got in the middle of this upgrade again. They focussed on Kowsar like tiny fighter projects instead of Phantoms. While IRGC-AF brought out of commission Su-22 back to life and upgraded them up with Soumar long range LACMs, IRIAF lost the opportunity to bring the F-4 fleet to 4.0 generation.

Mig-35 does not suit Iranian needs. Its an interceptor disguised as a multirole fighter.



F-5 or its local copies like Saeghe or Kowsar are not suitable for the modern requirements of IRIAF. First they are too tiny to fit any modern-day 4+ generation radars that Iran can get from China. They tried to enlarge its radome in first Saeghe prototype (cant remember its serial number) which had square intakes in Blue angels paint scheme. That destabilized the aircraft in roll performance that they had to revert the air intakes to the original C shape of F-5E. Secondly, it has tiny ranges. So you have a fighter that is small, cant lift heavy modern radars or multiple BVR missiles, you cant change its aerodynamics because that failed in Saeghe, and it has a small range so even if by miracle you drag it to some F-20 or FC-1 standard which Kowsar is supposed to be like. It will be still be nothing more, but a point defender and will require AEW datalinking support (Brazilian F-5M case) which means more $ and you are stuck ages behind your adversaries who are now operating EF-2000 and F-35 ... How is that for strategic balance? I know why IRIAF and HESA kept their view on F-5 and its J-85 but that just resulted into a waste of time, effort, and money and nothing else. HESA should have focussed on F-4 or F-14 from the start.



This is a 4.0 generation light fighter, purpose-built for defense of small geography like. It does not suit Iranian needs which is defence of a large geography and PLAAF itself did not purchase it for same reason

 

[Hack-Hook]

moderate level upgrade for F-4 comes from China which I gave details of in the above post. It has less to do with IRGC or IRIAF but more of political will of our decision makers. IRGC is more decisive and like I said they make things do as evident from our aerospace program. The fact that they are more closer to decision makers means they can pull things off easily compared to IRIAF lazy folks.

IRGC upgrade of su22

Imagine a world where our missile program was in hands of Artesh and UCAV program was in hands of IRIAF ... We would have been invaded ...

Imagine a world that IRGC received the same amount of budget as army . A world they like army didn't have access to their own money

That is not written in Quran that we need to replace interceptor with interceptor and attack with attack. Airforces in modern times are replacing old interceptors and attack fighter squadrons with single multirole platforms to save maintenance and operational costs. Israel shrunk its fleet of Mirage-3, Mirage-5 (Kfir/Nesher), F-4E, F-16, F-15, A-4 to just F-16, F-15 within a span of 15-20 years. Turkey did same, reducing to just two types of fighters.

They replace those plathora of airplane with 2 or 3 different airplane.
Since age immemorial air forces needed both light fighter and heavy fighters

 

[sha ah]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1480527994145935367