Babak Taghvaee investigates how the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) restores and upgrades its damaged US-built McDonnell Douglas F-4D/E Phantom IIs.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) is currently the largest operator of McDonnell Douglas F-4D/E Phantom II all-weather fighter jets. In total, 58 examples are still in service with five squadrons at four air bases across Iran, with 60% of them being airworthy.

The air force’s Mehrabad Aircraft Overhaul Complex in Tehran plays a key role in keeping the fleet operational by repairing and restoring its Phantom IIs which have incurred structural and severe airframe damage in accidents and incidents.