Iran's Air Power 2025: Unpacking Its Fighter Jet Inventory

Chesley Fisher IV 09 Jul 2025

In an increasingly volatile Middle East, with the United States reaffirming its unwavering support for Israel, the spotlight has once more intensified on the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) and its true combat readiness. The question on many minds is not just about the size of its fleet, but its actual capabilities and strategic reach. Understanding the Iran Air Force Fighter Jet Inventory 2025 is crucial for anyone seeking to grasp the delicate balance of power in the region.

While Iran’s total air power might pale in comparison to American military might or even that of some regional adversaries, the IRIAF remains a significant component of Iran's defense strategy. This article delves deep into the current aircraft of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, offering a detailed look at its fighter jets, bombers, transport, and special mission types, as well as its overall aviation capabilities as of 2025. We will explore the challenges it faces, its strategic implications, and what the future might hold for Tehran's aerial assets.

The IRIAF: A Legacy Forged in Revolution
Iran Air Force Fighter Jet Inventory 2025: An Overview
- The Core of the Fleet: Aging but Resilient
- Beyond Fighters: The Broader IRIAF Inventory
The Backbone: Soviet-Era and Chinese Jets
Western Relics: The Enduring Phantom and Tomcat
Domestic Efforts: The Kowsar and Saeqeh
Combat Readiness and Operational Challenges
- Sanctions and Self-Reliance
- Training and Maintenance Regimes
Strategic Reach: Can Iran's Air Force Reach Israel in 2025?
The Future Outlook for Iran's Air Force

The IRIAF: A Legacy Forged in Revolution

The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF; Persian: نیروی هوایی ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران, romanized: Niruye Havâyiye Arteše Jomhuriye Eslâmiye Irân) stands as the aviation branch of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. Its origins trace back to the Imperial Iranian Air Force, which was renamed in 1979 following the Iranian Revolution. This transition marked a pivotal moment, as the newly formed IRIAF inherited a sophisticated fleet of Western-made aircraft, primarily from the United States, but found itself abruptly cut off from the vital support, spare parts, and training that came with them. This immediate challenge forced Iran to develop an unprecedented level of self-reliance in maintaining its aerial assets, a characteristic that continues to define its operations today. The IRIAF was heavily impacted by the revolution and subsequent international sanctions, leading to a unique operational doctrine centered around ingenuity and domestic capabilities.

Iran Air Force Fighter Jet Inventory 2025: An Overview

As of 2025, the overall picture of Iran's air power presents a complex mosaic of aging but meticulously maintained aircraft, supplemented by more recent, albeit limited, acquisitions and indigenous developments. According to the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft's 2025 assessment of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF), the service currently counts approximately 400 total units in its active aircraft inventory. This figure encompasses a diverse range of types, including attack, fighter, bomber, transport, and special mission aircraft. While this might seem like a substantial number, it's crucial to understand the composition and operational readiness behind these figures, particularly concerning the `Iran Air Force Fighter Jet Inventory 2025`.

The Core of the Fleet: Aging but Resilient

When we zoom in on the fighter component, the situation becomes even more nuanced. While there are a total of 48 active Iranian Air Force aircraft (2025) entries in the military factory databases, which might refer to specific operational models or a subset of the total fleet, the overall fighter inventory is a mix of varying readiness levels. The backbone of Iran's aerial fighting capabilities is predominantly composed of aircraft acquired before the 1979 revolution or during the immediate post-revolution period, often through clandestine means or from former Soviet bloc nations. This means the majority of Iran's fighter jets are decades old, requiring extensive maintenance and ingenious solutions to keep them airworthy. Despite their age, Iran has demonstrated a remarkable ability to maintain and even upgrade these platforms, showcasing a high degree of technical self-sufficiency born out of necessity.

Beyond Fighters: The Broader IRIAF Inventory

Beyond its fighter jets, the IRIAF's 400-unit active inventory includes a variety of other critical assets. The bomber component, though limited, includes types like the Su-24 Fencer, capable of delivering precision strikes. The transport fleet, essential for logistics and troop movement, comprises aircraft such as the Il-76 Candid. Special mission types, including reconnaissance and electronic warfare platforms, also contribute to the IRIAF's overall capabilities, providing vital intelligence and support functions. Helicopters, too, form a significant part of the aviation capabilities as of 2025, supporting ground forces and performing various utility roles. This diverse fleet, while numerically significant, faces the inherent challenges of maintaining disparate platforms from various origins, each with its own unique logistical and technical demands.

The Backbone: Soviet-Era and Chinese Jets

A significant portion of the `Iran Air Force Fighter Jet Inventory 2025` is comprised of aircraft acquired from the Soviet Union and China, primarily in the aftermath of the Iran-Iraq War and the subsequent tightening of Western sanctions. These acquisitions were vital in replenishing Iran's depleted air force and diversifying its fleet away from its sole reliance on Western technology.

Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum: Iran acquired a number of MiG-29s, primarily from the Soviet Union and later from Iraq during the Gulf War. These multi-role fighters represent some of the IRIAF's more modern interceptor capabilities. While not cutting-edge by global standards, they are relatively agile and retain a degree of air-to-air combat effectiveness, especially when operated by well-trained pilots. Iran has reportedly made efforts to upgrade their avionics and weapon systems.
Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer: These supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft provide the IRIAF with its primary long-range strike capability. Acquired from the Soviet Union and also from Iraqi defectors, the Su-24s are crucial for deep penetration missions and delivering various ordnance. Maintaining these complex aircraft, especially their variable-geometry wings, is a testament to Iran's engineering prowess.
Chengdu J-7/F-7 Airguard: China's reverse-engineered version of the MiG-21, the J-7 (or F-7 for export), serves as a light interceptor and ground-attack aircraft. While simpler and less capable than the MiG-29, their lower maintenance requirements and relative abundance make them useful for air defense and close air support roles. They are likely among the most numerous operational fighter types.

These aircraft, while offering a degree of operational diversity, still face challenges related to their age, the availability of original spare parts, and the need for continuous modernization to remain relevant against more advanced adversaries. Iran's engineers have become adept at reverse-engineering components and developing domestic solutions to keep these fleets flying.

Western Relics: The Enduring Phantom and Tomcat

Perhaps the most iconic and surprising aspect of the `Iran Air Force Fighter Jet Inventory 2025` is the continued operational status of its American-made aircraft, acquired before the 1979 revolution. These include the legendary F-4 Phantom II and the highly sophisticated F-14 Tomcat. Their persistence in active service, despite decades of sanctions and lack of manufacturer support, is a remarkable feat of engineering and improvisation.

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II: Iran received a large number of F-4 Phantoms in various configurations (D, E, and RF-4E reconnaissance variants) during the Shah's era. These versatile multi-role fighters have seen extensive combat in the Iran-Iraq War and continue to be a workhorse for the IRIAF, performing ground attack, reconnaissance, and even air defense missions. Their robust design has allowed them to endure, with Iran reportedly developing domestic upgrades for their radar, avionics, and weapon systems.
Grumman F-14 Tomcat: Iran was the only foreign operator of the F-14 Tomcat, acquiring 79 of these formidable fleet defense interceptors. Equipped with the powerful AWG-9 radar and AIM-54 Phoenix long-range missiles, the F-14s were, and arguably still are, the most capable air-to-air platforms in the IRIAF's arsenal. Maintaining these highly complex aircraft, especially their engines and sophisticated radar systems, has been Iran's greatest challenge and triumph. Stories of cannibalizing parts from non-operational aircraft and reverse-engineering critical components are legendary, underscoring Iran's commitment to keeping these strategic assets flying.

The continued operation of these Western relics highlights Iran's unique approach to military aviation. It's a testament to their ingenuity in overcoming severe logistical hurdles and their strategic determination to maintain a credible air defense and strike capability, even with outdated platforms. However, the operational readiness of these aircraft remains a subject of intense speculation, with varying readiness levels across the fleet.

Domestic Efforts: The Kowsar and Saeqeh

Recognizing the limitations imposed by sanctions and the aging nature of its imported fleet, Iran has heavily invested in developing its indigenous aerospace industry. While these efforts have yet to yield truly cutting-edge fighter jets comparable to modern international standards, they represent a crucial step towards self-sufficiency and maintaining a baseline of aerial fighting capabilities.

HESA Saeqeh: First unveiled in the mid-2000s, the Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) is essentially a reverse-engineered and re-engineered variant of the American F-5E Tiger II, which Iran also operates. The most noticeable difference is its twin vertical stabilizers, similar in appearance to the F/A-18 Hornet. While visually distinct, its performance and capabilities are largely considered to be on par with the F-5, making it a light fighter primarily suited for air-to-ground missions and local air defense. Production numbers are believed to be limited.
HESA Kowsar: Unveiled in 2018, the Kowsar is Iran's latest domestically produced fighter jet, described by Iranian officials as a "fourth-generation" aircraft. However, analysis by international experts suggests it is also based on the F-5 platform, likely a more advanced variant or a significant modernization of the Saeqeh. It features updated avionics, a multi-function display, and potentially more advanced weapon systems. While a significant achievement for Iran's defense industry, the Kowsar is primarily a light attack and training aircraft, not a true multi-role fighter capable of challenging modern adversaries in high-intensity air combat.

These domestic programs, while not revolutionary, serve several critical purposes for the `Iran Air Force Fighter Jet Inventory 2025`. They provide valuable experience in aircraft design, manufacturing, and systems integration. They also ensure a steady, albeit slow, supply of new or upgraded airframes, reducing reliance on external sources and mitigating the impact of sanctions. Furthermore, they serve as a potent symbol of national pride and technological advancement, projecting an image of self-reliance despite immense international pressure.

Combat Readiness and Operational Challenges

The true combat readiness of the IRIAF, and particularly its `Iran Air Force Fighter Jet Inventory 2025`, is a subject of intense debate and speculation among military analysts. While Iran maintains a considerable number of aircraft, their operational status, maintenance cycles, and pilot training levels are critical factors determining their effectiveness. The overall fighter inventory is indeed a mix of varying readiness levels, a direct consequence of decades of isolation and sanctions.

Sanctions and Self-Reliance

The most significant challenge facing the IRIAF is the enduring impact of international sanctions, which severely restrict its ability to acquire new aircraft, modern components, and even spare parts from foreign suppliers. This has forced Iran to adopt a philosophy of extreme self-reliance, leading to:

Reverse Engineering: Iran has become highly proficient at reverse-engineering parts and systems for its Western and Soviet-era aircraft, often through clandestine procurement networks or by dismantling non-operational airframes.
Domestic Production: As seen with the Kowsar and Saeqeh, Iran is attempting to produce its own aircraft and components, albeit with limitations in technology and scale.
Limited Modernization: While some upgrades have been implemented, particularly in avionics and weapon integration, these are often piecemeal and cannot fully bridge the technological gap with modern air forces.

This self-reliance, while impressive, means that many of Iran's aircraft are operating beyond their expected service life, with potentially higher maintenance demands and lower availability rates compared to air forces with unhindered access to global supply chains.

Training and Maintenance Regimes

The effectiveness of any air force is not just about its hardware but also its human element. Iran faces challenges in pilot training and maintaining a consistent high standard. While Iranian pilots are known for their skill and dedication, the lack of modern simulators, advanced training aircraft, and consistent combat exercises with advanced platforms can limit their proficiency in complex air combat scenarios. Maintenance crews, too, operate under immense pressure, often improvising solutions with limited resources. This contrasts sharply with American military air power, which benefits from vast budgets, cutting-edge technology, continuous training, and robust logistical support. The qualitative gap between the IRIAF and top-tier air forces remains substantial.

Strategic Reach: Can Iran's Air Force Reach Israel in 2025?

The question, "Can Iran’s air force reach Israel in 2025?" is a critical one, given the escalating regional tensions. Geographically, the distance between Iran and Israel is significant, requiring aircraft with substantial combat radii or in-flight refueling capabilities.

Aircraft Range: Of Iran's current fighter inventory, only the Su-24 Fencer and the F-14 Tomcat possess the unrefueled combat radius to potentially reach targets deep within Israel, depending on the specific mission profile and payload. Other fighters like the MiG-29, F-4, or F-7 would likely require multiple in-flight refuelings to execute a strike mission and return.
In-Flight Refueling: Iran operates a limited number of tanker aircraft, primarily the Boeing 707 and 747, converted for aerial refueling. The availability and operational readiness of these tankers are crucial for any long-range strike mission. However, conducting complex, multi-aircraft refueling operations in a contested airspace is a highly challenging endeavor, especially against a sophisticated air defense network.
Air Defense Considerations: Any aerial assault on Israel would have to contend with one of the most advanced and layered air defense systems in the world, including the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow systems, complemented by a modern fighter fleet (F-15s, F-16s, F-35s). Penetrating such defenses with aging aircraft, even with upgrades, would be extremely difficult and costly.
Geopolitical Implications: Beyond the technical feasibility, the political and strategic ramifications of such an attack would be immense, likely triggering a full-scale regional conflict. Therefore, any aerial strike would be a decision of last resort.

While Iran's air force technically possesses some aircraft capable of reaching Israel, the operational challenges, the formidable Israeli air defenses, and the high strategic cost make a large-scale, conventional aerial assault unlikely. Iran's preferred method for projecting power or retaliation against Israel has historically leaned towards its extensive ballistic missile and drone capabilities, which offer a more direct and less risky means of strike compared to its aging manned aircraft fleet.

The Future Outlook for Iran's Air Force

The future of the `Iran Air Force Fighter Jet Inventory 2025` and beyond is intrinsically linked to geopolitical developments and Iran's strategic partnerships. With the lifting of the UN arms embargo in 2020, Iran theoretically gained the ability to purchase modern military aircraft from countries like Russia and China.

Potential Acquisitions: Reports have long suggested Iran's interest in acquiring advanced Russian aircraft, such as the Sukhoi Su-35 'Flanker-E' or even the Su-30 'Flanker-C'. The Su-35, in particular, would represent a significant leap in capability for the IRIAF, offering true 4++ generation performance, advanced avionics, and modern weaponry. However, the economic cost of such acquisitions, coupled with Russia's own military commitments and production capacities, remains a major hurdle. China could also be a potential supplier, offering aircraft like the J-10C, though less likely than Russian platforms.
Modernization Efforts: Even without major new acquisitions, Iran will likely continue its domestic modernization programs, focusing on upgrading existing platforms with improved radar, electronic warfare systems, and precision-guided munitions. This incremental approach aims to extend the service life and enhance the combat effectiveness of its current fleet.
Geopolitical Factors: The pace and nature of IRIAF's modernization will heavily depend on the trajectory of international relations, particularly with the United States and its allies. Renewed sanctions or heightened tensions could further restrict Iran's options, forcing it to rely even more heavily on its indigenous capabilities. Conversely, a de-escalation or new agreements could open avenues for more significant foreign procurements.

Ultimately, while Iran's air force has demonstrated remarkable resilience and ingenuity in maintaining its diverse and aging fleet, it faces an uphill battle to achieve parity with regional and global powers. The strategic focus appears to be on maintaining a credible deterrent, leveraging asymmetric capabilities like missiles and drones, while slowly but steadily trying to modernize its manned aviation component. The detailed look at the fighter jets currently in Iran's air force inventory reveals a force that is more about strategic deterrence and defensive posture than offensive power projection, a reality shaped by decades of isolation and the imperative of self-preservation.

Conclusion

The `Iran Air Force Fighter Jet Inventory 2025` paints a picture of a resilient, yet constrained, air arm. With an estimated 400 total aircraft in its active inventory, including a diverse mix of attack, fighter, bomber, transport, and special mission types, the IRIAF has demonstrated an extraordinary capacity for self-reliance in the face of decades of sanctions. Its continued operation of vintage Western jets alongside Soviet-era and indigenously developed platforms is a testament to its ingenuity and determination. However, the varying readiness levels, the challenges of maintaining aging fleets, and the significant technological gap with more advanced air forces remain undeniable realities.

While Iran's air power might pale in comparison to American military might, its strategic importance in the volatile Middle East cannot be understated. The question of whether Iran's air force can reach Israel

Iran

Iran's 'hidden' alcoholism problem - BBC News

How Good Is the US Policy on Iran, Really? - Fair Observer

Accelerate Your Potential