Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Aviation

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Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Aviation
هواپیمایی نیروی دریایی آجا
Country Iran
BranchIslamic Republic of Iran Navy
TypeNaval aviation
Size≈2,600 (2020)[1]
Insignia
Patch
Roundel
Fin flash

The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Aviation (IRINA) (Persian: هواپیمایی نیروی دریایی آجا) or Havadarya (هوادریا) is the air component of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy. It is one of the few air elements in any Persian Gulf navy, and has both fixed-wing aircraft and armed helicopters.

Aircraft[edit]

American aircraft types were introduced to the inventory, in the 1960s and 1970s: with European made aircraft comprising the more modern part of the fleet. Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters seem to be focused more on a transport role than actual ASW.

Aircraft Type Variants In service[2] Notes Image
Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion Airborne Mine CounterMeasures (AMCM)/Heavy-lift transport helicopter RH-53D 13[3] Supplemented by United States Navy examples that were abandoned by US forces during Operation Eagle Claw and used as spare parts source. It is believed that Iran got additional spare parts in black market in 2006-8 and up to six original plus one Eagle Claw RH-53Ds may be operational
Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King Anti-submarine warfare/Anti-surface warfare/Medium-lift utility helicopter ASH-3D 8[3] Built by Agusta, in Italy. Armed with locally produced anti-shipping missiles. Operational helicopters overhauled locally.
Mil Mi-17 Anti-surface warfare/Medium-lift transport helicopter Mi-171 (Mi-8AMTSh) 'Hip' 45[3] Mil Mi-171 helicopters were purchased from Russia. Of course, it may be less than 45.
Bell UH-1N Twin Huey Anti-submarine warfare/Anti-surface warfare/Light transport helicopter AB 212ASW 21[3] Built by Agusta, in Italy. Operational number unknown. Iran is producing spare parts locally for its Bell helicopters, used by all Armed Forces branches.
Fokker F27 Friendship Transport aircraft F27-400M 3[3] One aircraft is maritime patrol aircraft variant[3]

Dassault Falcon 20 Transport aircraft/VIP transport Mystère/Falcon 20E 1[3]
Do-228 Transport aircraft Do-228 5[4] Built in Germany.
Shrike Commander 690 Transport aircraft Shrike Commander 690 4[4] Built in the United States.

References[edit]

  1. ^ The International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) (2020). "Middle East and North Africa". The Military Balance 2020. Vol. 120. Routledge. pp. 348–352. doi:10.1080/04597222.2020.1707968. ISBN 9780367466398.
  2. ^ World Air Forces 2013 - Flightglobal.com, pg 18, December 11, 2012
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "World Air Forces 2021". FlightGlobal. 4 December 2020. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Iran Navy Equipment". GlobalSecurity.org.