Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Aviation

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.

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

Aircraft

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 StallionAirborne Mine CounterMeasures (AMCM)/heavy-lift transport helicopterRH-53D3(?)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 KingAnti-submarine warfare/anti-surface warfare/medium-lift utility helicopterASH-3D10Built by Agusta, in Italy. Armed with locally produced anti-shipping missiles. Operational helicopters overhauled locally.
Mil Mi-17Anti-surface warfare/medium-lift transport helicopterMi-171 (Mi-8AMTSh) 'Hip'30
Bell UH-1N Twin HueyAnti-submarine warfare/anti-surface warfare/light transport helicopterAB 212ASW14Built 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 FriendshipTransport aircraftF27-400M4

Dassault Falcon 20Transport aircraft/VIP transportMystère/Falcon 20E4
Do-228Transport aircraftDo-2285[3]Built in Germany.
Shrike Commander 690Transport aircraftShrike Commander 6904[3]Built in the United States.

References

  1. The International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) (2020). "Middle East and North Africa". The Military Balance 2020. 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. "Iran Navy Equipment". GlobalSecurity.org.
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