Equipment of the Iranian Army

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From 1925 to the Iranian Revolution in 1979, Iran was equipped with the very latest Western hardware. Cases exist where Iran was supplied with equipment even before it was made standard in the countries that developed it (for example the US F-14 Tomcat, or the British Chieftain Tank). Primary suppliers included the United States, Britain, France, the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany), Italy, Israel, and the Soviet Union.

The Iran–Iraq War, and post revolutionary sanctions at the time had a dramatic effect on Iran's inventory of western equipment. Under the pressures of war all supplies were quickly exhausted and replacements became increasingly difficult to come by. The war eventually forced Iran to turn towards the Soviet Union, North Korea, Brazil, and China to meet its short term military requirements. Initial developments in every field of military technology were carried out with the technical support of Russia, China, and North Korea to lay the foundations for future industries.

Iranian reliance on these countries has rapidly decreased over the last decade in most sectors where Iran sought to gain total independence; however, in some sectors such as the Aerospace sector and missile technology Iran is still greatly reliant on external help. Iran has developed the capacity to reverse engineer existing foreign hardware, adapt it to its own requirements and then manufacture the finished product. Examples of this are the Boragh and the IAMI Azarakhsh. In an attempt to make its military industries more sustainable Iran has also sought to export its military products.

This page includes weapons used by both Iranian army and Revolutionary Guards ground forces.

Infantry weapons

Small arms

Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes
PC-9 ZOAF Semi-automatic pistol 9 mm pistol, unlicenced local production variant of the Swiss SIG Sauer P226.[1]
M1911A1 Semi-automatic pistol USA .45 ACP pistol.[2][3]
MPT-9 Submachine gun Germany/Iran Heckler & Koch MP5 manufactured under licence[4]
Uzi Submachine gun Israel [5]
Nakhjir Sniper rifle USSR/Iran SVD manufactured under license[6]
Steyr HS .50/Sayyad Anti-material rifle Austria/Iran [7]
Shaher Anti-material rifle Iran [8]
Taktab Anti-material rifle Iran [9]
S.5'56 Assault rifle Iran Copy of the Norinco CQ[10]
Arash Anti-material rifle Iran [11]
KH-2002 Assault rifle Iran Iranian designed 5.56x45 mm bullpup rifle[12]
AKM Assault rifle USSR [13]
Type 56 Assault rifle China Chinese AKM clone
KL-7.62 Assault rifle Iran Iranian copy of the Chinese Type 56 and AKM. Possibly produced under license
H&K G3A6 Battle rifle Germany/Iran Licenced production,[14] main service rifle
MGA3 General purpose machine gun Germany/Iran Licenced production[14]
PKM-T80 General purpose machine gun USSR/Iran Local production[15]
MGD Heavy machine gun USSR/Iran Local production[16]
RPK Light machine gun USSR Local production

Small arms Reference 1:[17] Small arms Reference 2:[18] Small arms Reference 3:[19]

Infantry anti-tank weapons/unguided

Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes
SPG-9 Recoilless rifle USSR [20]
M40 Recoilless rifle USA/Iran
RPG-7 Rocket propelled grenade USSR/Iran [21]
Type 69 RPG Rocket propelled grenade China Chinese copy of Russian RPG-7.
Saegheh Rocket propelled grenade Iran Improved version of the RPG-7.[22]
RPG-29 Rocket propelled grenade USSR [23]

AT Rockets Reference 1:[24] AT Rockets Reference 2:[25] AT Rockets Reference 3:[26] AT Rockets Reference 4:[27]

Anti-tank guided missile

Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes
Toophan Anti-tank guided missile Iran Reverse engineered of early BGM-71A TOW missile
Toophan 2/2B Anti-tank guided missile Iran Reverse engineered US BGM-71C TOW
Toophan 5 Anti-tank/Anti-helicopter guided missile Iran Upgraded BGM-71C TOW with laser beam riding guidance system.
Saeghe 1/2 Anti-tank guided missile Iran reverse engineered M47 Dragon [28]
9K11 Malyutka/Raad Anti-tank guided missile USSR/Iran manufactured in Iran under name Raad
9K111 Fagot Anti-tank guided missile USSR
9M113 Konkurs Anti-tank guided missile USSR/Iran built as Towsan-1 or M-113 in Iran
9K115-2 Metis-M Anti-tank guided missile Russia/Iran produced under license from Russia
MILAN Anti-tank guided missile France captured during Iran-Iraq War, probably no longer in service
Dehalvie Anti-tank guided missile Iran Iranian copy of Kornet.[29][30]

ATGM Reference 1:[31] ATGM Reference 2:[32]

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Vehicles

Armored fighting vehicles

Armored fighting vehicles[31]
Model Type Quantity Acquired Notes
Cobra BMT-2 Armored personnel carrier 1997
Boragh Armored personnel carrier 140 1997
Rakhsh Armored personnel carrier
Sarir Armored personnel carrier
Sayyad Armored fast attack vehicle
M113 Armored personnel carrier 200
BTR-50 Amphibious Tracked Armored personnel carrier 150 1966
BTR-60 Amphibious Armored personnel carrier 150 1966
Type 63 Armored personnel carrier
Type 86/BMP-1 Infantry fighting vehicle 210
BMP-2 Infantry fighting vehicle 400 1991–2001 1,500 ordered in 1991 from Russia and 413 were delivered between 1993 and 2001 of which 82 were delivered directly by Russia and 331 were assembled in Iran.[33] 100 were in service in 1995, 140 in 2000 and 400 in 2002, 2005 and 2008.[31] 400 are currently in service.[34]
FV101 Scorpion Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance 110 1997 Tosan is a domestically produced light Tank, based on the FV101 Scorpion
Tosan Tank Light Tank 20 1997
EE-9 Cascavel Armored car 189
Zulfiqar MBT 3
Zulfiqar MBT 2
Zulfiqar MBT 1		 Main Battle Tank 4(prototypes)
-
150		 1996–present
Mobarez Tank Main Battle Tank - 2006-present
Chieftain Main battle tank ~100 707 Mk-3P and Mk-5P, 125–189 FV-4030-1, 41 ARV and 14 AVLB obtained before the 1979 revolution. Further planned deliveries of the more capable 4030 series were cancelled at that point. 100 in service as of 2005. Upgraded to Mobarez[35]
M60 Patton Main Battle Tank ~150 Some sources claim ~150 M60 [36]
M48 Patton Main Battle Tank ~150 Some sources claim ~150 M48 [36]
M47 Patton Main Battle Tank ~170
T-62 Main Battle Tank 75 1981–1985 65 ordered in 1981, currently 75 are in service.[34] Source Global Security
T-72S Main Battle Tank 480 1994–1999 Iran produced 422 T-72S tanks under licence from Russia from 1993-2001, received 104 T-72M1 tanks from Poland from 1994-1995 and 37 T-72M1 tanks from Belarus starting in 2000 [37]
T-54/55
Type-72Z Safir-74		 Main Battle Tank 540 ~200 Type-72Z Safir-74
Type 59 Main Battle Tank 220 Since 2002, Iran possesses approximately ~220 Type 59 main battle tank.
Type 69 Main Battle Tank 200
Ch'ŏnma-ho Main Battle Tank 150 1982–1985 150 ordered in 1981 from North Korea and delivered between 1982 and 1985.

Other vehicles

Other Vehicles[citation needed]
Model Type Quantity Acquired Notes
Safir Jeep Multipurpose Military vehicle 3000+ 2008 Yearly production of 5000 vehicles [38][39]
Samandar Light Attack Vehicle
Kaviran Multipurpose Military vehicle [40]
Sepehr Utility vehicle
Aras Multipurpose Military vehicle [41][42]
Ranger Light Attack Vehicle
Neynava Lightweight Truck [43]
Mercedes-Benz L-series truck Truck [44]
Mercedes-Benz Actros Heavy Truck
KrAZ Trucks Heavy Truck [45]

Artillery

Mortar

Model Type Quantity Acquired Notes
37mm Marsh Mortar 37mm Mortar
HM 12 60mm Mortar
HM 13 60mm Mortar
HM 14 60mm Mortar
HM 15 81mm Mortar
HM 16 120mm Mortar
Razm Mortar 120mm Mortar [46]
Vafa Mortar 160mm Mortar [47][48]

Mortars Reference:[49]

Towed artillery

Model Type Quantity Acquired Notes
M101A1 105mm Howitzer 130
2A18M Howitzer 540
Type-54 Howitzer 100
M1954/Type 59-1 Howitzer 985 In 2002, Iran had 1,100 M-46 in conditional use. By 2012 this number has dropped from 985.
M1955 Howitzer 30
WAC-21 Howitzer 15
GHN-45 Howitzer 120
M-114 Howitzer 70
122mm HM 40 Howitzer
155mm HM 41 Howitzer 290
FH-77B Howitzer 18
G-5 Howitzer 50 In 1990, Iran had 50 G-5. Howerver, there is no current information on the condition of these Howitzer.
M-115 Howitzer 20
Type 63 MRL/Fajr 1 MRL 700 1986

Artillery Reference 1:[34]

Self-propelled artillery

Model Type Quantity Acquired Notes
2S1 Gvozdika Self-propelled howitzer 60
Raad 1 Self-propelled howitzer 1996 Based on 2S1 Gvozdika
Raad 2 Self-propelled howitzer 1997 Based on M109
M-109 Self-propelled howitzer 180
M-1978 Self-propelled howitzer 10
M-107 Self-propelled howitzer 30
M-110 Self-propelled howitzer 30
Koksan Self-propelled howitzer
Fajr-3 MRLS 10 1994
Fajr-5 MRLS 1990s
BM-21 Grad MRLS 100 1978
122mm Hadid/Azrash/Nur MRLS 50 1994 Domestic BM-21 developments?

SPA Reference:[31]

Surface-to-surface missiles

This refers to ballistic missiles and not battlefield systems. Iran's missile forces are under the command of the Revolutionary Guards, under the army's authority.
Additional information is available at Air Force of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution who operate Iran's long-range missiles. Iran was reported to have purchased 18 mobile 3,200-4,000 km Musudan missiles (the extended range version of Soviet R-27 Zyb) in 2005.[50]

Anti ship missiles

Model Type Quantity Acquired Notes
Kowsar 1/2/3 Anti-ship missile Light ASCM based on Chinese C-701 and TL-10
Nasr-1 Anti ship missile Light ASCM based on Chinese C-705 and TL-6
Noor Anti-ship missile ASCM based on Chinese C-801 and C-802
Ra'ad Anti-ship missile Iranian origin Heavy ASCM similar to Chinese C-401
Qader Anti ship missile
Khalij Fars Anti-ship ballistic missile Based on Fateh-110
Zafar Anti-ship missile Light ASCM for IRGC navy

Anti ship missiles Reference:[51]

Battlefield missile systems

Model Type Quantity Acquired Notes
Tondar-69 Rocket artillery
Oghab Rocket artillery 1985–present
Naze'at Rocket artillery
Zelzal Tactical ballistic missile
Fateh-110 Tactical ballistic missile 2002–present

Battlefield missile systems Reference 1:[31] Battlefield missile systems Reference 2:[52]

Air defence missile systems

Main article: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force

Army aviation

The Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation (IRIAA) is the air arm of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. It is not known how much of this inventory is actually operational.

A CH-47C Chinook of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation.
Aircraft Type Versions In service[53] Notes
Shabaviz 2-75 light-lift utility helicopter built by Agusta and Panha
Bell 206 JetRanger utility helicopter AB 206A
Shabaviz 2061		 3 built by Agusta and Panha
Bell 214 medium-lift transport helicopter 214A
Bell AH-1J Sea Cobra attack helicopter AH-1J
Panha 2091		 6 Model 2091 upgrade by Panha
Toofan attack helicopter
Boeing CH-47 Chinook Heavy-lift transport helicopter CH-47C 15 built by Agusta
Dassault Falcon 20 VIP transport Falcon 20E 25
Aero Commander utility transport 690 5
Fokker F27 Friendship tactical transport F27-400M
F27-600		 2


Unmanned aerial vehicles

Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes
Sofreh Mahi Stealth UCAV Iran Under development
Karrar (UCAV) UCAV 2010 Iran
Ababil UAV Iran
Mohajer I/II/III/IV UAV Iran
Sabokbal UAV Iran
Ra'ad UAV Iran With offensive capabilities
Nazir UAV Iran
Hod Hod UAV Iran
Saeghe Target Drone Iran
MQM-107 Target Drone USA

Other equipment

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.pmulcahy.com/pistols/iranian_pistols.htm
  2. ^ Hogg, Ian (1989). Jane's Infantry Weapons 1989-90, 15th Edition. Jane's Information Group. pp. 826–836. ISBN 0-7106-0889-6. 
  3. ^ Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. p. 897. ISBN 0-7106-2869-2. 
  4. ^ http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/smallarms.htm
  5. ^ Miller, David (2001). The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns. Salamander Books Ltd. ISBN 1-84065-245-4.
  6. ^ name="Jones">Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009–2010. Jane's Information Group. p. 897. ISBN 0-7106-2869-2. 
  7. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1542559/Iraqi-insurgents-using-Austrian-rifles-from-Iran.html
  8. ^ http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/09/29/264133/iran-unveils-sniper-tactical-vehicle/
  9. ^ http://www.mashreghnews.ir/fa/news/152551/%D8%AA%DA%A9-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%81-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AA%DA%A9%E2%80%8C%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%B1%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3
  10. ^ http://world.guns.ru/assault/ch/cq-m311-e.html
  11. ^ http://www.mashreghnews.ir/fa/news/200652/%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%A8-%D9%BE%DB%8C%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AA%DA%A9-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3
  12. ^ http://www.mashreghnews.ir/fa/news/210912/%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%87-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD-%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D8%AE%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AC%D8%B2%D8%A6%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AA
  13. ^ Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  14. ^ a b [1][dead link]
  15. ^ Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  16. ^ http://world.guns.ru/machine/rus/dshk-dshkm-e.html
  17. ^ http://www.diomil.ir/en/aig.aspx
  18. ^ http://modlex.ir/cgi-bin/store.pl/page=category.html/category=3
  19. ^ http://www.fas.org/irp/world/iran/smallarms.pdf
  20. ^ http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/Weapons_and_Markets/Tools/Weapons_ID_DB/SAS_weapons-recoilless-guns-SPG9.pdf
  21. ^ http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/irans-rpg-surprise-01666/
  22. ^ http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/saghegh.htm
  23. ^ http://www.mashreghnews.ir/fa/news/83534
  24. ^ http://www.diomil.ir/en/aig.aspx
  25. ^ http://modlex.ir/cgi-bin/store.pl/page=category.html/category=5
  26. ^ http://modlex.ir/cgi-bin/store.pl/page=category.html/category=3
  27. ^ http://www.fas.org/irp/world/iran/smallarms.pdf
  28. ^ brochures on Iranian Copies of the TOW and DRAGON
  29. ^ http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9103085396
  30. ^ http://www.mehrnews.com/detail/News/1643710
  31. ^ a b c d e John Pike (2009-02-13). "Iranian Ground Forces Equipment". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2010-02-07. 
  32. ^ http://modlex.ir/cgi-bin/store.pl/page=category.html/category=5
  33. ^ SIPRI Arms Transfers Database
  34. ^ a b c Iranian army armyrecognition.com
  35. ^ "22 September 2004: Parade in Tehran". Acig.org. Retrieved 2010-02-07. 
  36. ^ a b "Iran Iranian Army Military vehicle armoured Equipment - Equipements militaires blindés armée Iran Iranienne". army recognition. 2009-02-13. Retrieved 2012-15-01. 
  37. ^ http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php
  38. ^ http://khabarkhodro.com/detail.asp?id=32770
  39. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqEi2faL_eQ
  40. ^ http://www.presstv.com/detail/143929.html
  41. ^ http://www.mehrnews.com/detail/News/1677568
  42. ^ http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13910531000015
  43. ^ http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/09/29/264133/iran-unveils-sniper-tactical-vehicle/
  44. ^ http://www.uskowioniran.com/2013/04/iran-military-day-2013-2.html#!/2013/04/iran-military-day-2013-2.html
  45. ^ http://www.uskowioniran.com/2013/04/iran-military-day-2013-2.html#!/2013/04/iran-military-day-2013-2.html
  46. ^ http://www.presstv.com/detail/143929.html
  47. ^ http://www.mehrnews.com/detail/News/1677568
  48. ^ http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13910531000015
  49. ^ http://www.diomil.ir/en/aig.aspx
  50. ^ "Iran acquires ballistic missiles from DPRK, 29 December 2005". Janes Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on October 22, 2006. Retrieved 12 November 2007. 
  51. ^ http://modlex.ir/cgi-bin/store.pl/page=category.html/category=5
  52. ^ http://modlex.ir/cgi-bin/store.pl/page=category.html/category=5
  53. ^ World Air Forces 2013 - Flightglobal.com, pg 18, December 11, 2012

External links

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Last modified on 15 May 2013, at 07:59