The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) is the aviation branch of the Iranian armed forces.
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2 Aircraft 3 Markings 4 External links |
The IRIAF began as the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF) which was officially formed in August of 1955 by the Shah of Iran. The IIAF was almost entirely composed of American equipment, which was reflective of the warm relations shared between the United States and Iran. The IIAF was the only military force other than the USN to be equipped with the F-14 Tomcat. It continues to serve, but the numbers have been reduced due to Iran's inability to require spare parts for these jets. The IIAF had also placed an order for over 150 F-16 fighter aircraft in 1976, but deliveries were never made due to the overthrow of the Shah by Ayatollah Khomeni, these aircraft would go on to serve in the Israeli Air Force.
The overthrow of the Shah by the Islamic Revolution changed the organization of the Iranian military. The air force itself was decimated by purges and many pilots were removed or left. This left the air force ill prepared for the Iran-Iraq War. Due to strained relations with the west, Iran had to procure new equpment from Brazil, Russia and the People's Republic of China.
Since the Revolution, the exact composition of the IRIAF is hard to determine, but estimates do exist. It is known that the IRIAF has it's own aircraft plants that produce spare parts that are otherwise hard to obtain. The Iranian goernment is also developing it's own fighter planes. Many planes of the Iraqi Air Force took refugre in Iran during the Gulf War, and many were put into service with the IRIAF or taken apart for spare parts.
History
Aircraft
Markings
External links