A Look at the Fighter Jets and Combat Aircraft of the Iranian Air Force

The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force operates one of the most unusual and closely observed air fleets in the world. These aircraft have been influenced by decades of sanctions, changing alliances, and regional security pressures. Iran’s air force is a blend of old school Cold War–era aircraft, domestically upgraded vehicles, and a limited number of fairly modern fighters. This mix reflects both the country’s military strategy and its efforts to maintain air power despite limited access to global defense markets.

Iran’s aircraft tell a story of adaptation and persistence, including a range of craft from American-made jets (acquired before the 1979 revolution) to Russian-built fighters. Maintenance innovation and reverse engineering have allowed many of these aging planes to remain operational far beyond their expected lifespans. This article takes a closer look at the fighter jets and combat aircraft of the Iranian air force, examining what they fly, how they’re used, and what the fleet tells us about Iran’s military strategy.

To identify every Iranian combat aircraft currently in service, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ordered the aircraft based on how many are currently in active service. We also included data on the type of aircraft, top speed, armament, and the Iranian military branch under which they serve.

This post was updated on January 7, 2026 to provide an overview of Iran’s Airforce and how it has changed over recent years.

Why This Matters

24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look into Iran’s military aircraft capabilities to give you greater insight into the current geopolitical landscape. While Iran may not have the most updated aircraft in its inventory, the current equipment is a key factor in the balance of power within the Middle East. The global balance of power has far-reaching effects on the United States economy, threatening our stability and security at the national and local levels.

Scroll below to see the fighter jets and combat aircraft in the Iranian Air Force:

16. Bell 206

• Type: Light utility helicopter
• Active aircraft: 5
• Top speed: 122 mph
• Armament: 7.62mm machine guns
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, Islamic Republic of Iran Army

15. S-65/RH-53D

• Type: Heavy-lift transport helicopter
• Active aircraft: 6
• Top speed: 196 mph
• Armament: 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Navy

14. S-61/ASH-3D

• Type: Anti-submarine warfare helicopter
• Active aircraft: 8
• Top speed: 166 mph
• Armament: Mark 44 / 46 torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, naval depth charges, 7.62mm machine guns
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Navy

13. Su-22

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• Type: Strike fighter
• Active aircraft: 9
• Top speed: 718 mph
• Armament: 30mm autocannons, conventional drop bombs, guided bombs, rocket pods, gun pods, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles
• Military branch: Iranian Revolutionary Guard

12. Bell 212

• Type: Medium-lift utility/transport helicopter
• Active aircraft: 10
• Top speed: 140 mph
• Armament: 7.62mm machine guns
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, Islamic Republic of Iran Navy

11. Mirage F1EQ

• Type: Interceptor aircraft
• Active aircraft: 12
• Top speed: 1,453 mph
• Armament: 30mm DEFA internal automatic cannons, Sidewinder missiles, Magic missiles, Matra missiles, conventional drop bombs, rocket pods, Armat missiles
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

10. AH-1J

• Type: Dedicated two-seat attack helicopter
• Active aircraft: 13
• Top speed: 175 mph
• Armament: 20mm M197 triple barrel Gatling gun, Hydra rocket pods, Zuni rocket pods, BGM-TOW missiles, Sidewinder missiles
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Army

9. F-7

• Type: Interceptor / Strike fighter aircraft
• Active aircraft: 17
• Top speed: 1,367 mph
• Armament: 30mm internal cannons, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, conventional drop bombs, rocket pods
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

8. MiG-29

• Type: Lightweight multirole fighter aircraft
• Active aircraft: 18
• Top speed: 1,519 mph
• Armament: 30mm GSh-1 internal automatic cannon, Alamo missiles, Adder missiles, rocket pods, conventional drop bombs, guided bombs
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

7. Mi-171

• Type: Medium-lift transport helicopter
• Active aircraft: 22
• Top speed: 158 mph
• Armament: Shturm missiles, rocket pods, 23mm cannon pods, 7.62mm machine guns
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, Iranian Revolutionary Guard

6. Su-24

• Type: Long-range strike/attack aircraft
• Active aircraft: 23
• Top speed: 1,439 mph
• Armament: 23mm GSh internal six-barrel cannon, Aphid missiles, Archer missiles, Kingbolt missiles, Krypton missiles, rocket pods, conventional drop bombs, guided bombs
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

5. Bell 214

• Type: Medium-lift utility helicopter
• Active aircraft: 24
• Top speed: 162 mph
• Armament: 7.62mm machine guns
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Army

4. F-5E

• Type: Multirole fighter aircraft
• Active aircraft: 35
• Top speed: 1,077 mph
• Armament: 20mm M39A2 automatic cannons, Sidewinder missiles, Maverick missiles, rocket pods, conventional drop bombs, guided bombs
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

3. CH-47C

• Type: Medium-lift, tandem rotor transport helicopter
• Active aircraft: 40
• Top speed: 180 mph
• Armament: 7.62mm machine guns
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, Islamic Republic of Iran Army

2. F-14

• Type: Swing-wing, carrierborne fleet defense fighter
• Active aircraft: 41
• Top speed: 1,544 mph
• Armament: 20mm internal Gatling gun, Phoenix missiles, Sparrow missiles, Sidewinder missiles, conventional drop bombs, guided bombs
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

1. F-4D/E/RF-4E

• Type: Strike fighter
• Active aircraft: 63
• Top speed: 1,473 mph
• Armament: 20mm M61 Vulcan, Skyflash missiles, Sparrow missiles, Sidewinder missiles, rocket pods, gun pods, conventional drop bombs, guided bombs
• Military branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force