http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_219.

shtml Go OCT JAN JUN

👤 ⍰❎
76 captures 11 f 🐦
17 Apr 2004 - 25 Jan 2021 2004 2006 2007 ▾ About this capture
*ACIG Home*ACIG Journal*ACIG Books*ACIG Forum *

Articles ARABIAN PENINSULA & PERSIAN GULF DATABASE Latest ARABIAN

ACIG Special Reports
PENINSULA &
PERSIAN GULF
ACIG Database IRIAF Since 1988 Email this article DATABASE
By ACIG Team  Printer friendly page
ACIG Books, Articles & Media Sep 16, 2003, 03:08 US-Related News from Iraq
Central and Latin America Database Future Development of GCC Air
Forces; Part 2
Europe & Cold War Database Future Development of GCC Air
Forces; Part 1
Former USSR-Russia Database Hard Target: Rolling-Back
Iranian Nuclear Programmes
Western & Northern Africa Database
Shahab 3: an Advanced IRBM
Central, Eastern, & Southern Africa 22 September 2004: Parade in
Database Tehran
Middle East Database Baghdad Impressions
With the 7th Field Hospital in
Arabian Peninsula & Persian Gulf Basrah, Part 2
Database With the 7th Field Hospital in
Dassault Mirage F.1EQ in service with the IRIAF Basrah, Part 1
Indian-Subcontinent Database
Iraqi Super-Bases
Indochina Database Exhumating the Dead Iraqi Air
Reports from August 2001 about the crash of a Mirage fighter aircraft near Mashhad, in north-eastern Iran, revealed another interesting detail about the ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN AIR FORCE (IRIAF), an air force
Force
Korean War Database which - despite being isolated from standard sources of spares and maintenance support for its aircraft (most of which are still of Western origins) since 20 years, despite working under constant heavy pressure and
mistrust from the clerical regime, and despite suffering considerable losses during the long war with Iraq - remained operational and effective, and, which during the last years managed to rebuilt its strength. Tom Second Death of IrAF
Far-East Database Cooper explains the background. 22 September 2003: Iranian
Military Parade
LCIG & NCIG Section IRIAF Since 1988
ACIG Modeler's Corner US Air-to-Air Victories during
the Operation Desert Storm
Iranian Mirages Kuwaiti Air-to-Air Victories in
Search 1990
Iran is a major route along which drugs originating from Afghanistan and Pakistan are smuggled towards the Europe; huge amounts of heroin, opium, hashish, and morphine are transported each year. Already since Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait; 1990
Go 1980 the Iranian authorities have initiated intensive campaigns against - foremost Afghan, but also Pakistani and Iranian - drug smugglers. Tehran is spending some $20 million annually for fighting drug trafficking,
and, according to official reports, so far over 3,100 members of Iranian security forces have been killed in drugs-related engagements. Persian 'Cats
All Categories
Advanced Search Iraqi Air-to-Air Victories since
In the past, Iranian drug-busting operations were executed at a very different scale and size. Early operations were conducted by the police and security forces, with minimal help from the IRGC or the regular army. 1967
Since the end of the war with Iraq, however, the IRGC and the Iranian Army became more present, especially as by 1996 Iran almost went to war with Taleban regime in Afghanistan. The involvement of regular armed Iranian Air-to-Air Victories
Contributors Log-in forces reached its peak in 1997/98, when the IRIAA (Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation) operated AH-1J Cobra helicopter gunships and Bell 214Cs, out of the Kerman IRIAA regional base, in a series of massive
operations along the Afghan border. These were supported also by RF-4Es of the IRIAF and Mohajer UAVs of the IRGCAF flying recce missions deep into Afghanistan. During this emergency, the IRIAF upgraded its
since 1976
Tanker War, 1980-1988
existing – “Imam Reza” – air transport base near Mashhad, into its 14th Tactical Fighter Base, which in turn received two squadrons worth of a total of 24 Mirage F.1EQs.
Iraqi Air Force since 1948, Part
The history of Iranian Mirage F.1EQ operations is a relatively short one: a total of 24 aircraft - belonging to very different sub-versions, starting with “vanilla” F.1EQ one-seaters and F.1BQ two-seaters, over the more 2
sophisticated F.1EQ-2s and 4s (equipped with in-flight refueling probes and LGBs), but foremost the more advanced F.1EQ-5s (equipped with upgraded Cyrano IV-radars and capable of deploying AM.39 Exocet anti- Iraqi Air Force Since 1948, Part
ship missiles) and Mirage F.1EQ-6s – were flown by Iraqi pilots to Iran in January and February 1991, fleeing the Desert Storm onslaught and Saddam’s regime. Together with Mirages, Iraqis also ‘relocated’ three Il- 1
76MD transports to Iran, all of which arrived loaded to the roof with spare parts and weapons – including ATLIS II laser designators, AS.30L ASMs, R.550 Magic Is and COR-2 recce pods. Fire in the Hills: Iranian and
Iraqi Battles of Autumn 1982
The IRIAF was not in a hurry to put Mirages into service: testing of six chosen examples was started only in 1992, partially at Mehrabad, and partially at Shiraz and Esfahan, and done with some the help of Pakistani I Persian Gulf War: Iraqi
crews who had previously flown Libyan F.1s. Pakistanis were out of Iran already by mid-1993 and the IRIAF then started to prepare the TFB.3, or Nojeh AB, in Kaboodar-Ahang near Hamedan (western Iran), to Invasion of Iran, September
accommodate the new Mirage fighter-bomber wing. However, as mentioned earlier, the whole wing equipped with Mirages was instead relocated to the TFB.14 in Mashhad, to cover the volatile eastern borders. 1980
I Persian Gulf War, 1980-1988
From sightings in the late 1990s, it seems that Iranian Mirages initialy still wore the camouflage patterns they carried while in service with the Iraqi Air Force: both tan/chocolate brown and Extra Dark Sea Grey
painted examples were noticed at Mashhad; albeit, they all have got the black title IRIAF under the cockpit, as well as IRIAF serials. Serials observed in operation with the IRIAF since the early 1990s are: 3-6210, 3- Kuwait Emergency, 1961
6212, 3-6213, 3-6214, 3-6217, 3-6401, 3-6402, 3-6403 and 3-6407. Oman (and Dhofar) 1952-
1979
Sometimes in the last three years, however, the whole fleet was repainted. The new camouflage pattern should be similar to that worn by IRIAF F-14s and overhauled MiG-29s now. South Arabia and Yemen,
1945-1995
Drug-Busting Operations
In the period between 2000 and 2001, the Iranian authorities changed their strategy for drug-busting operations. Local security forces were massively reinforced, thousands of villagers along the eastern Iranian
borders were armed to help combat drug traffickers and to supplement deployment of both the Iranian Army and the IRGC forces. The IRGCAF remained very active along the border, foremost using its newly acquired
Mi-171 helicopters, as well as AB.206 helos and recce UAVs, and reportedly EMB-312 Tucano light-attack prop-planes.
The IRIAF, on the other side, assisted with PC-6Bs transports, some equipped with downward-looking cameras, and also more powerfull reconnaissance assets, like RF-4Es, and Mirage F.1EQs equipped with recce pods.
The TFB.14 seems to have been constantly taking part in such operations, the tempo of which was reported as being “heavy.”

The first ever photograph of ex-Iraqi Mirage F.1s released outside Iran shows a Mirage F.1BQ (foreground) and a Mirage
F.1EQ during landing at Zahedan's "Imam Reza", TFB.14. (Photo: Siavash B., exclusively for ACIG.org)

The “Crash”
Starting with early June 2001, the Iranian [internal] Security Force (integrated Police, Gendarmerie and the infamous "Committee" units) - which meanwhile, as reported by IRNA (Iranian News Agency) on 19 June
2001, reached also an agreement with Canada for training its officers there - and the IRGC initiated a series of massive drug-busting operations in ‘Sisatan and Baluchestan’ province, along the borders with
Afghanistan and Pakistan, but also deeper in Iran, especially the Kerman province. During these operations, Iranian security forces managed to wipe out large – and heavily armed – bands of drug smugglers, yet, most
of such efforts resulted in significant armed clashes with dozens of casualties and arrested personnel.

In early July, the Iranians started a new series of intensive counter-drug operations. Apparently, they were initiated by a series of air strikes and recce sorties undertaken by the TFB.14 Mirages, supplementing
reconnaissance operations previously undertaken by IRGCAF helicopters and UAVs. Main area of operations was initially in the more southern regions, on the border with Pakistan, where part of a large drugs
shipment of 850kg of opium was confiscated and five drug traffickers killed early in the same month. Another operation followed only days later in the Nehbandan region, and that time the police again confiscated the
shipment and the equipment.
On July 10, 2001, the IRNA reported about a “two-man military training plane crashing in the Amir al-Momenin” neighborhood near the Mashhad international airport/TFB.14, two days earlier - on Tuesday, the July
8, 2001, around 11AM (0630 GMT) - killing an experienced pilot and injuring the copilot.
Subsequently, however, the IRIAF banned any additional reporting on the circumstances surrounding the accident, like in the case of a Yak-40 crash, earlier in 2001. Consequently, no more details surfaced, and ever
since, only scarce information became available about the mysterious plane.
In fact, the Mirage which crashed on July 8 in Amir al-Momenin district, near the Mashhad’s airport, was probably a Mirage F.1BQ, and flown by Lt. Gen. Nasser Habibi. Amid a range of rumors about the operation of
the Mirage in IRIAF, this report proved for only the second time that Iran was in possession of the type flown to it by Iraqis in 1991, and even more so, utilizing it to the effect. The fighter wsa either on a reconnaissance
or a combat mission, taking part in a counter-narcotics cleanup operation in the border region, when hit by an SA-14. Lt. Gen. Habibi managed to fly it back to Mashhad, but he lost control of the plane while landing
and the crew ejected, after the pilot managed to avoid populated areas and instead crashed the plane in a garden. Habibi was killed when his parachute failed to open for unknown reasons, but not much is known
about his copilot, initially claimed to have parachuted successfully but being injured and hospitalized subsequently: the IRIAF denied that anybody else was involved in the accident and stated that the plane had only
one crewmember, while all other Iranian military officials declined to comment on the cause of the crash, or the type of the aircraft.

Despite this loss, Iranians continued their operations along the Afghani and Pakistani borders, and on July 28, 2001 an ultimate success was reported, when authorities reported seizing no less than 4,787kg of opium,
3,101kg hashish, 347kg heroin, 179kg morphine, and arrested 955 traffickers in less than one month, together with considerable number of equipment. Additional reports indicated a heavy use of newly delivered Mi-
171s by the IRGCAF in this operation as well.
Considering the amount of confiscated drugs and the number of arrests, as well as the equipment of Afghani and Pakistani drug traffickers, it must have indeed been a very large operation, and it is perhaps a wonder
that only one Mirage F.1BQ was lost.

An-140 Attracts Military Support As it Enters Production in Iran

During a ceremony marking the commemoration of the Antonov An-140 first official flight in Iran on 11 October 2000, the country's military officials showed interest toward absorbing the licensed-built turboprop
into Iranian armed forces' aging fleet of transport and patrol aircraft.
Iranian military intends to incorporate An-140 in such badly needed roles as light tactical transport, due to its short (1,350m) and unprepared runway performance. Airborne early warning radar platform will also be
a desired mission for An-140, taking into account Iran's diverse terrain and the need to provide coverage for low altitude airborne target detection and tracking.

An-140, which is locally named Iran-140, in its naval role can be used for maritime patrol and other related military purposes, including early warning, command and control and target designation. To take advantage
of this capability, Iranian navy has expressed its willingness to operate An-140 in offensive and patrol roles, equipping it with a 360-degrees surface search radar. Other equipment options will include a range of Infra-
red/Ultra-violet line scanner (IR/UVLS), forward looking airborne radar (FLAR), side looking airborne radar (SLAR), laser Fluorescent sensor (LFS), microwave radiometer (MWR), forward looking Infra-red (FLIR),
magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), electronic support measures/radar warning receiver (ESM/RWR), sonobuoy launcher, anti-surface weapons and a video camera with data annotation. The particular systems and
subsystems are not yet selected. An-140 is equipped with an auxiliary power unit to provide for necessary power to run the systems.

Model of a maritime patrol version of the Iran-140 (Antonov An-140), with the Iranian Navy
markings, and two generic AShMs, resembling Harpoon or C.801, under its wings.

Above and Below: The same model, this time with Iranian Air Force markings.

Maritime patrol, including roles such as electronic warfare, anti-ship missile firing and long range missile guidance relay, emphasizes a need for at least 7 hours endurance. An-140 does not have such a capability yet,
but some modifications are being planned to enlarge aircraft's fuel tanks, and by adding additional tanks to the outboard wing section.

Model of the maritime patrol version of the Iran-140, complete with search radar, FLIR,
external fuel tanks/search lights, and a distinctive camouflage pattern similar to the Iranian P-
3F Orions.

Retouched photo of a model of Iran-140, for maritime surveillance missions. Note the under-
wing torpedo.

Light transport for Iranian armed forces is another envisaged mission for the multirole An-140. Currently three directorates within the Iranian Ministry of Defense and Support of the Armed Forces are tasked with
assessing requirements to absorb this aircraft within the Iranian armed forces. A separate committee will also be set up to establish specifications and missions. In case of its selection, reportedly no other similar aircraft
will be allowed to be procured from abroad.

The interior configuration of the Iran-140MP

The limited production of the original 52-seat civilian An-140 has been commenced at the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries' (IAMI or Hesa as it is known by its Persian abbreviation) vast plant in Shahin-Shahr,
28km northwest of Esfahan. The second prototype recently was rolled out. At its predicted peak rate, twelve airframes will be built annually in collaboration with Ukrainian and Russian companies.
Designed as a successor to the earlier generation An-24/-26/-30 and -32 twin-turboprop transports and survey aircraft, An-140 enjoys a fully loaded (6,000 kg) range of up to 1,134nm (2,100km) with a cruising
speed of 315 KTAS (575km/h) at 18,000ft. Its maximum take-off weight is 42,130-lb (19,150 kg).
It was projected that all three production lines in Kharkov, Ukraine; Samara, Russia and Hesa, Iran to be in operation by the end of year 2000. The Progress of Zaparozhiye/Motorsich 2,500shp TV3-117-VMA-SBM1
engine developed in Ukraine from an earlier turboshaft version is also going to be manufactured at the Iran Aircraft Industries (IACI) in Tehran. This engine is claimed to have a TBO of more than 4,000 hours.
Future plans for the aircraft include an An-140T military variant with rear ramp cargo door, to accommodate wheeled vehicles, An-140TK combi and An-140-100 stretch version with uprated engines. Hesa's "Aircraft
Design Bureau" is reported to be actively participating in the design phase of the 68-seat An-140-100.

Ukraine and Iran are also about to set up a joint consortium to jointly assemble An-140 passenger jets. The parties had signed a contract for serial production of An-140 jets back in 1995, but so far Iran has assembled
only two jets. The consortium is planning to assemble about 100 jets by the year 2020, but some technical as well as certification problems have delayed the programme. Antonov originally planned to issue An-140 a
type certificate within the first six months of 2000. The production capacity of 12 planes per year is to be reached in 2004. Each jet costs 8.5 million dollars.
The first accident involving an An-140 occured on 23 December 2002, in central Iran, killing all 45 people on board. The passengers consisted of top managers and leading specialists from a number of Ukrainian and
Russian aviation companies involved in the An-140's license production by Hesa. They were scheduled to attend an official ceremony, in Shahin-Shahr, to celebrate roll out of the second license-manufactured Iran-140
aircraft, by Hesa. As expected, Iranian authorities confirmed that the crash would not affect the joint venture.
The first Hesa-produced Iran-140 was completed in 2001, but company has yet to find a domestic customer for the aircraft, which is being seen with scepticism by Iranian civilian operators.

In addition to An-140, Hesa upgrades and manufactures turboprop and jet training aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, hovercrafts, as well as ultralight planes.

HESA Maritime Surveillance (HMS)

Mission Operation:
- Search and Rescue (SAR)
- Sea Surface Surveillance (SuS)
- Sub Surface Surveillance (SSS)
- Maritime Patrol (MP)
- Pollution Control (PC)

Important Mission Equipment:

- Forward-Looking Infra Red (FLIR)
- Search radar
- Electronic Support Measures (ESM)
- VRR (Video Recorder Reproducer)
- MAD (Magnetic Anomaly Detector)
- SAR Kit
- MWR (Microwave Radio Meter)
- Bubble Windows
- Hand-held Camera

Above and Below: HESA's Iran-140 in the percieved AWACS role. Antonov An-140 military AEW
version will be equipped with a rotodome and a yet to be determined surveillance radar. Iran
has an urgent requirement for at least a dozen of such aircraft due to its diverse topography!

Another model of IR-AN-140 in Iranian Navy colours. The type might replace aging Fokker F27s
in service with the IRIN, in VIP and personnel transport role.

Model of the tactical transport version of the Iran-140, in a colour-scheme similar to that of
the existing Iranian An-74s. HESA hopes to sell Iran-140 to Iranian armed forces, including to
replace the aging Fokker F27 Friendship planes in service with IRIAF and IRIAA.

© Copyright 2002-3 by ACIG.org

Top of Page