Iran's air force, heavily reliant on aging F-14A Tomcat jets, faces a growing technological gap as its neighbors rapidly modernize their air forces with advanced fighter jets and air defense systems.
Despite recent orders of Su-35 jets from Russia, experts suggest Iran will remain outmatched in the region for the foreseeable future.
According to a Forbes article, Iran's F-14 Tomcats, acquired in the 1970s, are the country's most advanced fighters. Once revolutionary, these jets were equipped with AWG-9 radars and AIM-54 Phoenix missiles, but even with the Fakour-90, a derivative missile developed by Tehran, they cannot match the 120-mile range of more advanced missiles, such as China’s PL-15E.
The article also highlights the increasing disparity in military capabilities, with most of Iran’s neighbors rapidly upgrading their air forces. Azerbaijan, for example, recently showcased its new JF-17C Block III fighter jets, purchased from Pakistan, at a military parade on November 8. Baku has ordered 40 of these aircraft and supplemented them with Chinese HQ-9BE air defense systems.
Meanwhile, Türkiye has strengthened its air power with 44 Eurofighter Typhoon jets equipped with Meteor missiles, also exceeding 120 miles in range. Türkiye is also working on its own fifth-generation stealth fighter, the TF Kaan, and plans to acquire 40 F-35 jets. Saudi Arabia is pursuing a similar F-35 purchase, although it faces scrutiny due to espionage concerns and regional diplomacy.
Qatar and the UAE have also made substantial investments in modern 4.5-generation Western fighters. In contrast, Iraq and Afghanistan operate weaker fleets, with only Iraq's F-16IQs offering some regional capability, despite ongoing maintenance issues.
Pakistan, too, has focused on enhancing its conventional air power. It has jointly developed the JF-17 with China and acquired 36 Chengdu J-10C fighters, with plans to acquire China's Shenyang J-35 stealth jets in the 2030s.
This regional arms race, highlighted by drone and fighter strikes between Pakistan and Iran last year, further underscores the growing imbalance in air power. Despite Tehran’s efforts to close the gap with the Su-35 Flanker jets, which are expected to be delivered for a reported $5.8–6.96 billion, analysts argue that this acquisition is unlikely to bridge the technological divide with Israel and neighboring countries’ advanced air forces.
Iran’s reliance on outdated F-14s and limited upgrades may hinder its air power capabilities, analysts say. They warn that Iran will need more than just Su-35s to remain competitive in the coming decade as its regional rivals continue to invest in next-generation air forces and missile technologies.
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