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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Iranian Defense Minister: Air Force fully ready to defend country |
| 2006-02-03 |
| BUSHEHR (IRNA) -- The Iranian Army is completely prepared to respond to any threat or violation of the country's air space despite being under sanctions, Defense Minister Brigadier-General Mostafa Mohammad Najar assured here Wednesday. Speaking to reporters at the end of his visit to an airbase in the southern city of Bushehr, home to the country's first nuclear power plant, the minister expressed satisfaction over the high capability and readiness of the country's air force. Stressing the importance of guaranteeing security for the Bushehr nuclear power plant, Najar said that "any attack against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities would receive a quick and decisive response by the country's armed forces." He praised the army's significant role in the eight-year, Iraqi-imposed war against Iran (1980-1988), stressing that its forces are ready to protect the country's borders with the same revolutionary fervor as in the early days of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. The Iran-Iraq war lasted nearly eight years, from September of 1980 until August of 1988. It ended when Iran accepted United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 598, leading to a 20 August 1988 cease-fire. Iran suffered some 300,000 KIA and another 500,000 WIA. Not much to celebrate or crow about I'd say. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #10 As the Iranian father of asymetric warfare, I challenge the Mexican flying infidels to a dual at 20,000 feet! Bring your stinkin' badges. |
| Posted by: General Salami 2006-02-03 20:23 |
| #9 Mexico has an Air Force? (Other than their drug smuggling plane, I mean.) |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2006-02-03 19:53 |
| #8 ...Against crack air superiority units like the 1st and 33rd Fighter Wings, (and the 1st will have at least two squadrons of F-22s within a few months) the survival time of the IRAF will be measured in minutes. The vast majority of the aircraft will never leave the ground - they will die in their shelters or on their ramps, possibly with just enough warning to die very, very terrified. Those that somehow do get airborne will be in uncoordinated groups with no command and control, with no idea where the USAF is or where they are coming from. Their only warning will be the Slammers and Sidewinders that kill them. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2006-02-03 19:11 |
| #7 40% more than the heaviest AAM ever. I call heavy. :> |
| Posted by: 6 2006-02-03 17:45 |
| #6 I still say the Mexicans can take em. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2006-02-03 16:51 |
| #5 heavy Not really. The Phoenix weighed 1000 lbs each and the F-14 carried 6 of them. A Hawk weighs 1400 lbs. I bet the range sucked compared to a Phoenix. |
| Posted by: ed 2006-02-03 12:56 |
| #4 fitted F-14s with I-Hawk missiles Kinda heavy for an AAM. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-02-03 12:45 |
| #3 Background: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/airforce.htm As of 2000 it was estimated that only 40 of the 132 F-4Ds, 177 F-4Es and 16 RF-4E. Phantoms delivered before 1979 remained in service. At that time, approximately 45 of the 169 F-5E/Fs delivered are still flying, while perhaps 20 F-14A Tomcats of the 79 initially delivered were airworthy. Another 30 F-4s, 30 F-5s and 35 F-14s have been cannibalized for spare parts. One report suggested that the IRIAF can get no more than seven F-14s airborne at any one time. Iran claims to have fitted F-14s with I-Hawk missiles adapted to the air-to-air role. Russia and Iran enjoy a close military sales relationship, and have taken steps for the Russians to sell modernized air defense systems to Iran. In February 2001 a spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry stated that "Iran hopes for ongoing military-technical cooperation with Russia. Our country plans to modernize Iranian Air Defense and it will ask Russia to sell some air defense systems in support of that." An unknown number of "new" Su-25s were delivered to the Iranian Revolution Guards Corps Air Force (IRGCAF) in 2003. Where these Frogfoots originate from is unclear. In July 2003 Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Corporation (CAIC) unveiled the new ‘Super-7’ or Chao Qi fighter plane to the public. The new Super-7 is “an all-purpose light fighter, required to have all-weather operation capabilities, be capable of performing the dual tasks of dogfight and air-to-ground attack, and have the ability to launch medium-range missiles. Mass production of the fighter will not begin until two and a half years of research are completed. The plane is being produced to be sold abroad to developing nations. China already has received orders from Iran and some African countries. There have been reports of some 10 F-8Ms "Finback", 7 Tu-22Ms, 19 MIG-27s, and several MIG-31s (Russia's most modern fighter aircraft, US$40 million ) being present in Iran, but these are not confirmed. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2006-02-03 12:00 |
| #2 I bet the Mexican Air Force could take them Ouch. Funny, 'cus it is true... |
| Posted by: mmurray821 2006-02-03 11:51 |
| #1 Headline shoudl read "Iran Air Force prepared to meet Allan" They have few aircraft, they barely fly them, and they aint getting any new ones. At this point I bet the Mexican Air Force could take them in a straight up fight. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2006-02-03 11:35 |