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Why is Iran the only user of the F-14 besides the US?

F-14 Tomcat Proves Strong in Iranian skies

tomcat-F-14
Tomcat-F-14

The reason is, the plane was purchased when Iran was still friendly with the United States, namely during the regime of Shah Reza Pahlavi.

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Tomcat-F-14
So, in the early 1970s, Shah Reza visited his friendly country, the United States, for military spending so that the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF) could build a defense system that could repel Soviet troops on its borders. have done. He had a duel between an F-14 Tomcat and an F-15 Eagle in front of His Majesty. Finally, the Tomcat was chosen, an aircraft that was actually used by the USN (United States Navy). A total of 80 units were purchased, including 700 Phoenix missiles, plus various spare parts and maintenance packages for ten years. Deliveries began in 1976.

Soon he saw the Islamic Revolution erupt in 1979 and the Iranian monarchy toppled. The Kingdom of Iran became the Islamic Republic of Iran and IIAF became the IRIAF (Air Force of the Islamic Republic). The United States blocked deliveries of the 80th aircraft and several batches of spare parts. With 79 Tomcats, Iran faced Iraq in the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War.

tomcat-F-14-002
Tomcat-F-14

Tomcat proved to be strong in the Iranian skies. According to research by Tom Cooper and Farzad Bayad, Iranian Tomcats had at least 160 Iraqi aircraft, consisting of MiG 21, 23, 25, 27, Su-20, 22, Mirage F-1, Mirage 5, etc. shot down. Meanwhile, the investigation found that only 12-14 Iranian Tomcats crashed.

During the Iran-Iraq War, the IRIAF deserved credit for the Tomcat's excellent performance under embargoes from everywhere. Iraq, the United States, and the Russian-backed Arab states used the newer Russian and French aircraft, but were unable to defeat the Iranian Tomcat in the air.

The F-14 Tomcat is now retired by the US government and replaced by its F/A-18 Hornet. All these Tomcat planes were destroyed by the US government, so no spare parts were smuggled into Iran. Therefore, with all its limitations, Iran is trying to extend the life of these planes with local components. To replace the Phoenix missiles that had run out, they tried to use Russian missiles. Like other components, Iran seeks to maintain its Tomcat fleet in order to carry out its national duties.

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