On Aug 4, 2019, around 12:30 PM local time Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF)
small inventory of fighter jet reduced further when it lost an F-4E Phantom II.
The jet crashed near the Persian Gulf when it was performing a regular patrol flight.
Fortunately, both crews managed to eject and are safe.
IRIAF spokesman said the crew of the F-4E reported technical issues before the jet crashed.
In this video Defense Updates analyzes the dire state of Iran’s Air Force as its American
made F-4E Phantom II crashes Let’s get started
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The F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor
and fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft.
It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy.
It was later adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force, and by the mid-1960s
had become a major part American aerial force.
The Phantom is a large fighter with a top speed of over Mach 2.2.
It can carry more than 18,000 pounds (8,400 kg) of weapons on nine external hardpoints,
including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and various bombs.
It was designed to be an air superiority fighter and was used extensively during the Vietnam
War.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the U.S. and Iran were on friendly terms and America sold 225
F-4D, F-4E, and RF-4E Phantoms to Iran.
After the relations between the two counties nose-dived, America refused to provide parts
and maintenance support.
Iran has managed to keep around 40 to 45 of these jets in working condition, mainly by
cannibalizing parts and reverse engineering.
The MiG-29 is the most capable fighter of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.
It has only 20 of these.
Other fighters include Sukhoi Su-24, Sukhoi Su-22, Chengdu F-7, Northrop F-5, F-4 Phantom
II, Grumman F-14, and Mirage F1, totaling to about 150.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force which is a separate air arm and part
of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has about 10 ex-Iraqi Su-25 “Frogfoot” fighters.
There is neither a long-range bomber nor an AWACS.
The latest incident brings the focus back to the ailing Air Force of Iran.
The fleet of F-4 Phantom II form the backbone of offensive power which is not a good situation
to be in as F-4 Phantom II is a pretty old fighter and is no match to modern fighters.
With no new fighters being inducted and maintenance becoming almost impossible, the current fleet
will slowly wither away.
Air dominance is one of the most important aspects of modern day warfare.
In this situation, combat aircraft are vital and primitive fighter fleet can be of little
help.
Tehran presented its called stealth fighter named IAIO Qaher on February 2, 2013.
The fighter on display seemed to have many similarities and characteristics of fighters
like F-5 Freedom Fighter F-22 Raptor and even 1950s-era MiG-17.
The design seemed to be funny and even the cockpit was too small to be able to accommodate
an average size human being.
Most analysts have the opinion that it can't be a flying prototype and has been cobbled
up just for the presentation.
Iran's adversary, U.S has the most powerful Air Force in the world with 2000 fighter jets
that include around 187 F 22 Raptor 5th generation fighters which are considered the most potent
fighter in the world.
Apart from that U.S has dedicated long-range bomber including stealthy B 2 Spirit as well
it has a flotilla of very capable AWACS.
The U.S also has 10 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers that can carry more than 60 fighter
jets each.
So, Iran must realize that with its current inventory of combat jets, an air war with
the U.S will be unsustainable.