The Iranian Air Force operates a variety of outdated airframes, which the country has gone to great lengths to keep in operational condition.
Recent events have highlighted the Iranian Air Force’s (IRIAF) relative inability to defend its own airspace. One reason the IRIAF has failed to contest invading Israeli and US forces has been outdated airframes—one of which is from the Cold War era, a US-imported Northrop F-5.
That the IRIAF’s F-5 fleet is still flying at all speaks to adaptability, resourcefulness, and persistence. Initially built in the United States as a lightweight and cost-effective supersonic fighter, the F-5 was never fully integrated into the US force structure; instead, it was exported. Iran, for example, has used the F-5 for more than five decades, after importing the airframe while Tehran was still a close ally of the United States. Despite international sanctions and embargoes, Iran has managed to keep the F-5s flying and has developed several indigenous variants, further extending the impact and longevity of the fighter jet.
How Did Iran Get Its Hands on the F-5?
Iran received approximately 140 F-5s from the United States during the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. As a close ally of the United States during the 1960s and 70s, Pahlavi’s government received significant military support, including the F-5A/B “Freedom Fighter” and the E/F “Tiger II” variants. The F-5s were deployed across several IRIAF air bases, becoming a core part of the country’s fighter fleet. The F-5, renowned for its agility, simplicity, and relatively low maintenance requirements, became central to the IRIAF’s air defense, pilot training, and regional deterrence schemes.
After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran’s relationship with the United States deteriorated; Washington imposed a strict arms embargo on the country. Overnight, Iran lost access to spare parts, maintenance equipment, and upgrades for its entire fleet of US-supplied aircraft, including the F-5, F-4, and F-14. As a result, Iranian engineers adopted new methods of self-sufficiency, even going as far as to reverse-engineer key components of the F-5 and, in some instances, cannibalizing damaged or retired jets to keep the others operational.
Iran Adapted Under the Pressure of Sanctions
Iran, to its credit, has taken measures not only to preserve its F-5 fleet but also to modernize and spawn derivatives. Upgrades to existing platforms include new radars, digital avionics, improved cockpit layouts, and compatibility with domestically produced weapons. Most impressive, however, was the production of F-5-based derivatives.
Notably, the Iranians built the Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) from the F-5. Featuring a twin-tail design, the Saeqeh is built directly from the F-5’s airframe and includes several modifications intended to improve maneuverability and electronic systems. Iran claims the Saeqeh is a multi-role fighter, but most analysts believe the jet is more humble, capable of slotting as a light attack aircraft or advanced trainer. Other F-5 derivatives include the Kowsar, unveiled in 2018, and the Azarkhsh, which was rolled out in the late 1990s. Neither is especially impressive relative to modern fighter aircraft, but both are quite remarkable when considering the austere conditions within which they were developed.
Today, dozens of F-5s remain in service with the IRIAF, used primarily for pilot training, air patrol missions, and light ground attack roles. While the F-5 is no longer a cutting-edge aircraft, it still provides the Iranians with a valuable airframe well-suited for limited regional engagements and/or asymmetric warfare.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a Senior Defense and National Security Writer at The National Interest. Kass is an attorney and former political candidate who joined the US Air Force as a pilot trainee before being medically discharged. He focuses on military strategy, aerospace, and global security affairs. He holds a JD from the University of Oregon and a master’s in Global Journalism and International Relations from NYU.
Image: Shutterstock / agsaz.
