Kenneth,
the mainstay of the SyAAF interceptor units are something like 42 MiG-29s of
two or three main versions (the "export" 9.12, two-seaters, and possibly
some SMTs, but the last is far from being sure), then some 60 MiG-23MF/MF &
MLs, all of which should have been standardised to a version locally called
MiG-23S, and then some 40 MiG-21bis, armed with R-73s.

The condition of MiG-25s is unclear: the recce versions appear to be very
active; reports about the interceptor versions are relatively scarce (last
I've hard about them being scrambled was two years back).

For air-to-ground, they have some 22 Su-24MKs and one or two Su-24MRs (the
last came from Libya, together with two Su-24MKs: for more details see the
article "The King of Middle Eastern Swing-Sings", which is to appear in
International Air Power Review, volume 8 or 9), then something like 30
MiG-23BNs, and a similar number of Su-20M and Su-22M-3/4Ks (all of which are
in a pretty bad shape). There is also a pretty sizeable number of older
MiG-21bis/MF and other airframes, but quite a few of these were rebuilt into
recce fighters (note that I'm talking about active airframes: except the
MiG-29s, Su-24s, and - theoretically - MiG-25s - 50% of the remaining assets
are either in storage, or grounded).

The Syrians have also a small naval air arm, equipped with Ka-25
helicopters, and permanently attached interceptor squadron (usually equipped
with MiG-23s or MiG-21s) from the SyAAF.

The IRIAF has no true "mix" of MiGs and "left-over" US fighters. At least
not yet - and despite all the reports so far. The IRIAF remains mainly armed
with US-built fighters, to which a relatively small number of Soviet/Russian
fighters was added in 1990/91, and now some domestic designs are added too.
The IRIAF is very unhappy with its original (and few ex-Iraqi) MiG-29s, and
these are meanwhile considered a second-line asset, together with remaining
F-5s. In order to increase the capabilities of MiG-29s earlier this year a
team of Indian technicians was called in. So, that the mainstay of their
interceptor fleet remains the F-14A, supported by ex-Iraqi Mirage F.1s.
These might be reinforced by a number of fighters purchased from a specific
country earlier this summer, but there is no confirmation for this yet so
I'll not go into any details.

They have, nevertheless, a very capable fighter-bomber component: the Su-24
are now operational with two oversized squadrons and their as well as
F-14-crews are continuously getting a lot of intensive and very realistic
training, and were meanwhile noticed in "out of area" operations too. The
most numerous type in service, however, remains the F-4Ds and F-4Es, which
have a locally-modified avionics and several completely new weapons systems
(some of these with a considerable stand-off range). Finally, there is of
course the F-5A/B/E/F/Azarakhsh family, which is now slowly increasing due
to domestic production.

Iran has also a sizeable tanker fleet (Boeing 707-2J9Cs and Boeing
747-2J9C), and by far the largest transport fleet in the area (Boeing 747Fs,
C-130s, and Il-76s), as well as two exIraqi Adnan-1/2s AEW aircraft. the
IR.AN-140 are meanwhile in production too, and might be developed in several
different variants for the IRIAF and the IRGC. The last, the IRGC, now
("also" and "finally" - after so many years trying) operates a small air arm
(usually designated IRGCAF), equipped with An-70s, Y-12s, seven Su-25Ks, and
approx three dozens of Mi-8, AH-1, Bell 214C and Bell 206 helicopters.

One should not forget to mention the IRIAA - the Islamic Republic of Iranian
Army Aviation - that remains the hugest such arm in the whole Middle East,
having a fleet of over 400 AH-1Js (including some new, domestically built
examples), Bell 214A/C (also including an increasing number of domestically
built examples), Bell 206s, and CH-47Cs.

Finally, the IRINA - Naval Aviation - operates some 30 AS-61/SH-3Ds,
AB.212s, and RH-53s.

Tom Cooper
Co-Author:
Iran-Iraq War in the Air, 1980-1988:
http://www.acig.org/pg1/content.php
and,
Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat:
http://www.osprey-publishing.co.uk/t...hp/title=S6585