The Iranian Air Force F-14 Tomcat is credited with over 130 air-to-air victories during the Imposed War (1980-88), making it one of the most successful fighers of all time. It is estimated that fifty are still flying for the IRIAF.
79 airframes were delivered out of the 80 ordered. One was left behind in California as a casualty of the revolution and subsequent US embargo. About a dozen were lost or cannibalized in the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88) and another 4 lost to accidents. Most informed observers believe that Iran has about 55 air-worthy airframes and the refurbishment and avionic upgrades were started in 2000 with the intention of keeping the IRIAF F-14A fleet operational till 2015 when suitable replacement is found.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Superb! any idea how many F 14s IRIAF operates?
ReplyDelete79 airframes were delivered out of the 80 ordered. One was left behind in California as a casualty of the revolution and subsequent US embargo. About a dozen were lost or cannibalized in the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88) and another 4 lost to accidents. Most informed observers believe that Iran has about 55 air-worthy airframes and the refurbishment and avionic upgrades were started in 2000 with the intention of keeping the IRIAF F-14A fleet operational till 2015 when suitable replacement is found.
ReplyDelete