The ongoing campaign against Iran, launched on 28 February 2026, has rapidly become one of the most intense air operations in the Middle East in decades.
Two parallel names define the campaign, Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion and the United States’ Operation Epic Fury.
The stated objectives are degrade Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, cripple its ballistic missile forces, dismantle command structures of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and eliminate the regime’s ability to threaten Israel and Western forces across the region.
Yet beyond the geopolitical implications, the war has revealed something equally striking: the near-total collapse of Iranian air power.
The Air Campaign
The opening phase resembled a textbook suppression campaign. Israeli and American aircraft struck air defence systems, ballistic missile bases, nuclear facilities, naval installations and IRGC headquarters
Within the first days, the Israeli Air Force reportedly flew close to 2,000 sorties, supported by extensive aerial refuelling and long-range strike profiles exceeding 1,000 miles involving F-35I Adir, F-15I Ra'am and F-16I Sufa.
US forces reinforced the campaign with carrier aviation and long-range strike assets, including F/A-18 Super Hornet operating from the USS Abraham Lincoln, alongside F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and F-15E Strike Eagle conducting deep strike and air dominance missions. Electronic warfare support was provided by the EA-18G Growler, while strategic strikes were reportedly carried out by B-2 Spirit and B-1B Lancer aircraft. Tanker platforms such as the KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-46 Pegasus sustained the operational tempo, enabling long-range missions across the region.
As a reault Iranian air defences collapsed across multiple regions within days.
The Silence of the IRIAF
Perhaps the most revealing element of the war has been the almost complete absence of Iranian combat sorties.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force entered the conflict with several hundred aircraft on paper. In reality, decades of sanctions and maintenance shortages meant that only a fraction were actually flyable.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force entered the conflict with several hundred aircraft on paper. In reality, decades of sanctions and maintenance shortages meant that only a fraction were actually flyable.
By 2026, the fleet was already in critical condition. Pre-war estimates from the FlightGlobal World Air Forces 2025 report suggested an inventory of roughly 65 F-4s, about 35 F-5s, around 41 F-14s, approximately 18 MiG-29s, 21 Su-24s, 12 Mirage F1s and a small number of Yak-130 trainers. In reality, operational availability was extremely low, with fewer than 30 percent of the aircraft considered flyable due to decades of sanctions and severe maintenance limitations.
Coalition strikes focused heavily on Iranian air bases during the opening hours of the campaign, destroying aircraft on the ground before they could launch.
Aircraft believed destroyed or neutralised include the F-4 Phantom II, the F-5 Tiger II, Mirage F1, MiG-29, Chengdu J-7 and the last remaining operational Tomcats—following the US Navy's retirement in 2006—have been eliminated in the strikes against the 8th Tactical Fighter Base in Isfahan on March 7-8, 2026, marking the definitive end of this iconic platform in any active air force.
Only isolated attempts at flight have been reported.
One Yakovlev Yak-130 was reportedly shot down over Tehran by an Israeli F-35 Lightning II, potentially marking the first confirmed air-to-air victory of the aircraft in real combat.
One Yakovlev Yak-130 was reportedly shot down over Tehran by an Israeli F-35 Lightning II, potentially marking the first confirmed air-to-air victory of the aircraft in real combat.
Another incident involved Iranian Sukhoi Su-24 aircraft approaching the Gulf region. These aircraft were reportedly intercepted and shot down by the air defence network of Qatar.
Beyond these isolated events, there is no evidence of sustained Iranian fighter operations. Instead, Iran’s retaliation has relied almost entirely on ballistic missiles and large numbers of Shahed drone systems.
Beyond these isolated events, there is no evidence of sustained Iranian fighter operations. Instead, Iran’s retaliation has relied almost entirely on ballistic missiles and large numbers of Shahed drone systems.
From Regional Air Power to Hollow Force
This collapse is striking when viewed against history.
Before the 1979 revolution, Iran possessed one of the most advanced air forces outside NATO. Backed by the United States Air Force and American industry, the Shah’s Iran fielded cutting-edge aircraft and highly trained pilots.
The revolution severed that relationship overnight.
Purges, sanctions and the loss of US logistical support crippled the force’s long-term sustainability.
Before the 1979 revolution, Iran possessed one of the most advanced air forces outside NATO. Backed by the United States Air Force and American industry, the Shah’s Iran fielded cutting-edge aircraft and highly trained pilots.
The revolution severed that relationship overnight.
Purges, sanctions and the loss of US logistical support crippled the force’s long-term sustainability.
Yet the story did not end there.
The Forgotten Performance: Iran–Iraq War
During the Iran–Iraq War, the Iranian Air Force performed far better than many expected.
After Iraq’s invasion in 1980, Iran launched massive counterstrikes. Operations such as Operation Kaman 99 involved more than 140 aircraft attacking Iraqi airfields and infrastructure.
Iranian pilots also carried out one of the earliest strikes against a nuclear facility in modern history. In Operation Scorch Sword, Iranian F-4 Phantom II aircraft attacked the Iraqi nuclear reactor under construction at Osirak Nuclear Reactor, months before the later Israeli strike that would destroy the site in 1981.
Later missions such as the H-3 Airstrike demonstrated remarkable operational reach.
Iranian F-14 Tomcats scored numerous victories using the long-range AIM-54 Phoenix, and Iranian pilots produced several aces.
Despite embargoes and a collapsing logistics chain, the IRIAF managed to sustain significant combat operations during the early years of the war.
2026: Aerial Reality Reduced to Drones
Four decades later, the situation is dramatically different.
The combination of ageing aircraft, lack of spare parts, degraded training pipelines and precision strikes against air bases has left the Iranian Air Force unable to contest the skies.
Air power, once one of Iran’s most formidable assets, has largely disappeared from the battlefield.
In 1980, Iranian fighters survived surprise attacks and launched hundreds of sorties.
In 2026, manned aircraft have barely managed to take off. With most of its manned aircraft grounded or destroyed, Iran has relied heavily on low-cost drones, primarily Shahed-class UAVs, for defensive and retaliatory operations. These drones have been used to: conduct limited strikes against Israeli and U.S. forces in the region; act as decoys to saturate or probe missile defenses such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Patriot systems; provide surveillance and intelligence on coalition movements; and test and maintain some deterrent effect, despite their limited payload and precision compared to manned aircraft. While they cannot replace conventional air power, drones have allowed Iran to retain a minimal but persistent aerial presence, complicating coalition operations and demonstrating asymmetric capabilities in a high-intensity conflict.
The silence of Iranian jets over Tehran may ultimately become one of the defining images of this war.
No comments:
Post a Comment