Iranian Air Force
Inside the first days of the Iran-Iraq War
In this extract from his new book, Flashpoints, Michael Napier outlines the first nine days of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war
Northrop F-5E Tiger IIs at the IRIAF’s Forward Operating Base in Birjand
Combat Aircraft Journal reports on the Northrop F-5E Tiger IIs at the IRIAF’s Forward Operating Base in Birjand
Keeping the Iranian Air Force F-5E/F Tiger II fleet in service
Combat Aircraft Journal reports on the project keeping the Iranian Air Force F-5E/F Tiger II fleet in service
Phantom Survivors: Iranian Survivors
The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) has operated F-4s since 1968, and today retains a significant number of these aircraft as the backbone of its aging fighter force.
France receives final KC-130J
The Armée de l’Air (French Air Force) has received its second of two Lockheed Martin KC-130J Super Hercules multi-role tanker/transport aircraft.
Israel activates second F-35I squadron
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has stood up 116 Squadron ‘Lions of the South’ as its second operational F-35I Adir unit.
ANALYSIS: Iran/US escalation and mobilisation
Tensions are at a critical level in the Middle East following a US drone strike – authorised by US President Donald Trump – that killed General Qasem Soleimani of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), sparking a major escalation of the long-running stand-off between the two countries.