- Equipment of the Iranian Army
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Iranian Army Structure Iranian Army Order of Battle Personnel List of senior officers Army Rank insignia Equipment Current equipment History Military history of Iran Historical equipment Imperial Guard 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, Pakistan, 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, Pakistan, 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.
Contents
Infantry weapons
Small arms
Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes PC-9 ZOAF Semi-automatic pistol 
Switzerland/
Iran9 mm pistol, unlicenced local production variant of the Swiss SIG P-226 M1911A1 Semi-automatic pistol 
United States.45 ACP pistol.[1][2] MPT-9 Submachine gun 
Germany/ IranHeckler & Koch MP5 manufactured under licence Uzi[3] Submachine gun 
IsraelNakhjir Sniper rifle 
Soviet Union/ IranSVD manufactured under license Steyr HS .50 Anti-material rifle 
AustriaS.5'56 Assault rifle IranCopy of the Norinco CQ Khaybar KH2002 Assault rifle IranIranian designed 5.56x45 mm bullpup rifle AKM Assault rifle Soviet UnionType 56 Assault rifle 
ChinaChinese AKM clone KL-7.62 Assault rifle IranIranian copy of the Chinese Type 56. Possibly produced under license H&K G3A6 Battle rifle Germany/ IranLicenced production,[4] main service rifle MGA3 General purpose machine gun Germany/ IranLicenced production[4] PKM-T80 General purpose machine gun Soviet Union/ IranLocal production MGD Heavy machine gun Soviet Union/ IranLocal production Infantry anti-tank weapons/unguided
Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes SPG-9 Recoilless rifle Soviet UnionRPG-7 Rocket propelled grenade Soviet UnionType 69 RPG Rocket propelled grenade ChinaChinese copy of Russian RPG-7. Saegheh Rocket propelled grenade IranImproved version of the RPG-7. RPG-29 Rocket propelled grenade Soviet UnionAnti-tank guided missile
Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes Toophan Anti-tank guided missile IranReverse engineered of early BGM-71A TOW missile Toophan 2 Anti-tank guided missile IranReverse engineered US BGM-71C TOW Toophan 5 Anti-tank/Anti-helicopter guided missile IranUpgraded BGM-71C TOW with laser beam riding guidance system. Saeghe 1/2 Anti-tank guided missile Iranreverse engineered M47 Dragon [5] 9K11 Malyutka Anti-tank guided missile Soviet Union9K111 Fagot Anti-tank guided missile Soviet Union9M113 Konkurs Anti-tank guided missile Soviet Union/ Iranbuilt as Towsan-1 or M-113 in Iran 9K115-2 Metis-M Anti-tank guided missile 
Russia/ Iranproduced under license from Russia MILAN Anti-tank guided missile 
Francecaptured during Iran-Iraq War, probably no longer in service Vehicles
Armored fighting vehicles
Armored fighting vehicles[6] Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes Cobra BMT-2 Armored personnel carrier 590 1997 IranBoragh Armored personnel carrier 140 IranM113 Armored personnel carrier 200 United StatesBTR-50/BTR-60 Armored personnel carrier 300 1966 Soviet UnionMT-LB Armored personnel carrier N/A N/A Soviet Union[7][verification needed] Type 86/BMP-1 Infantry fighting vehicle 210 China
Soviet UnionBMP-2 Infantry fighting vehicle 400 1991–2001 Soviet Union1,500 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.[8] 100 were in service in 1995, 140 in 2000 and 400 in 2002, 2005 and 2008.[6] 400 are currently in service.[9] Tosan/FV101 Scorpion Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance 80 1997 Iran/
United KingdomTosan is a domestically produced light Tank, based on the FV101 Scorpion EE-9 Cascavel Armored car 35 
BrazilZulfiqar MBT 1-3 Main Battle Tank ~100 1996–present IranChieftain Main battle tank ~100 United Kingdom707 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[10] M47 Patton Main Battle Tank 168 United StatesM60A1 Main Battle Tank 150 United StatesT-62 Main Battle Tank 75 1981–1985 Soviet Union65 ordered in 1981, currently 75 are in service.[9] Source Global Security T-72S Main Battle Tank 480 1994–1999 Soviet UnionIran is believed to operate 480 T-72M1 and T-72S since 2002 Type-72Z Safir-74 Main Battle Tank N/A N/A IranHighly modernized version of the T-55 Type 59 Main Battle Tank 220 ChinaType 69 Main Battle Tank 200 ChinaCh'ŏnma-ho Main Battle Tank 150 1982–1985 
North Korea150 ordered in 1981 from North Korea and delivered between 1982 and 1985. Artillery
Towed artillery
Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes M101A1 105mm Howitzer 130 United States2A18M Howitzer 540 Soviet UnionType-54 Howitzer 100 Soviet UnionM1955 Howitzer 30 Soviet UnionWAC-21 Howitzer 15 ChinaGHN-45 Howitzer 120 
CanadaM-114 Howitzer 70 United States122mm HM 40 Howitzer Iran155mm HM 41 Howitzer IranFH-77B Howitzer 
SwedenG-5 Howitzer 30 
South AfricaM-115 Howitzer 20 United StatesType 63 MRL MRL 700 1986 ChinaArtillery Reference 1:[9]
Self-propelled artillery
Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes 2S1 Gvozdika Self-propelled howitzer 60 Soviet UnionRaad 1 Self-propelled howitzer 1996 IranBased on 2S1 Gvozdika Raad 2 Self-propelled howitzer 1997 IranBased on M109 M-109 Self-propelled howitzer 180 United StatesM-1978 Self-propelled howitzer 10 North KoreaM-107 Self-propelled howitzer 30 United StatesM-110 Self-propelled howitzer 30 United StatesFajr-3 MRLS 10 1994 IranBM-21 Grad MRLS 100 1978 Soviet Union122mm Hadid/Azrash/Nur MRLS 50 1994 IranDomestic BM-21 developments? 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.[11]Anti ship missiles
Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes Kowsar 1/2/3 Anti ship missile IranLight ASCM based on Chinese C-701 and TL-10 Nasr-1 Anti ship missile IranLight ASCM based on Chinese C-705 and TL-6 Noor Anti ship missile IranASCM based on Chinese C-801 and C-802 Ra'ad Anti ship missile IranIranian origin Heavy ASCM similar to Chinese C-401 Khalij Fars Anti-ship ballistic missile IranBased on Fateh-110 Battlefield missile systems
Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes Samid Rocket artillery IranFajr-2 Rocket artillery IranFajr-3 Rocket artillery IranFajr-5 Rocket artillery IranTondar-69 Rocket artillery IranOghab Rocket artillery 1985–present IranNaze'at Rocket artillery IranZelzal Tactical ballistic missile IranFateh-110 Tactical ballistic missile 2002–present IranAir defence Missile Systems
Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes MIM-23 Hawk Surface-to-air missile 150 1970s-present United States/ IranLocally manufactured improved version of the original 1960s US Hawk system. The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force had recently revealed its own version of the MIM-23 Hawk the Shahin which is under production. In 2010 Iran announced that it will be mass producing its next generation of air defense system called Mersad which would integrate with the Shahin missile.[12] SM-1 Surface-to-air missile IranLocally manufactured copy of a c.1970s variant Shahab Saqeb Surface-to-air missile 2002–present Irancopy of the Chinese HQ-7 (FM-90) system. This Project was First Joint Winner-Applied Research in 14th Khwarizmi International Award- 2001;Tehran-Iran -The Project Title:Production of Low Range Ground to Air Missile;Shahab Saqeb - Initiator:Iran Aerospace Ind. Org.& Contributor:D.I.O)[13] Sayyad-1 Surface-to-air missile 45 IranUp to 45 Launchers, HQ-2J and indigenous-produced Sayyad-1. Upgraded copy of HQ-2, Sayyad-1A has IR tracking. This Project was First Joint Winner-Applied Research in 14th Khwarizmi International Award- 2001;Tehran-Iran -The Project Title:Manufacture of Sayyad-1 Missile -Initiator: Iran Aerospace Ind. Org. Contributor:HESA & Arak Machine Ind.[13] Ghareh Surface-to-air missile 10 Iranupgraded copy of SA-5 Gammon with 250 km range SA-6 Gainful Surface-to-air missile 8 1995–present Soviet UnionReports of eight SA-6 systems transferred to Iran from Russia in 1995/1996. S-200 Surface-to-air missile 200 Soviet Union/ IranLocally upgraded and improved [14] [15] Rapier missile Surface-to-air missile 30 1971–present United Kingdom45 towed systems with Blindfire radar delivered before 1979. 72 self-propelled systems and local production of 1,000 missiles cancelled 1979 Tigercat Surface-to-air missile 15 United KingdomSA-22 Greyhound (Pantsyr S1) Surface-to-air missile 10 2008–present Russia[16][17] Tor missile system Surface-to-air missile 29 2005–present Russia[18] S-300 Surface-to-air missile 4 Russia/ IranIran claim to possess two S-300PT from Belarus and two others from another unspecified source despite Russian refusal to deliver them. [19] Iran announced that it had a "domestically made" system with the same capabilities as the S-300, but this is unverified. [20] Mersad Air Defense System N/A 2010 IranIranian designed Air Defense system using Shahin missiles. Man-portable air-defense systems
Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes Misagh-1 Man-portable air-defense systems IranMisagh-2 Man-portable air-defense systems IranRBS-70 Man-portable air-defense systems 50 SwedenSA-7 Grail Man-portable air-defense systems Soviet UnionSA-16 Gimlet Man-portable air-defense systems 700 Soviet Union[21] SA-18 Grouse Man-portable air-defense systems Soviet UnionRadar systems
- Gamma
- Kasta
- Kolchuga [22]
- JY-14 Radar (Chinese origin)
- Matla'ol Fajr radar (Iranian origin)
- Kashef 1&2 radars (Iranian origin)
Army aviation
The Army operates 188 airplanes, and 527 helicopters although it is not known how much of this inventory is actually operational.
Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service[23] Notes Aero Commander United Statesutility transport 690 50 Bell 205 
Italylight-lift utility helicopter AB 205
Shabaviz 2-75250 built by Agusta and Panha Bell 206 JetRanger Italy
Iranutility helicopter AB 206A
Shabaviz 206165 built by Agusta and Panha Bell 214 United Statesmedium-lift transport helicopter 214A 85 Bell AH-1J Sea Cobra United Statesattack helicopter AH-1J
Panha 209175
+45Model 2091 upgrade by Panha Boeing CH-47 Chinook United StatesHeavy-lift transport helicopter CH-47C 45 built by Agusta Cessna 185 United Statesutility 55 Dassault Falcon 20 FranceVIP transport Falcon 20E 25 Fokker F27 Friendship 
Netherlandstactical transport F27-400M
F27-60015
25Aircraft which have served recently and of which numbers may remain in reserve storage or second-line use include:
- Bell 204 UH-1
- Hughes 300C
- Mil Mi-24
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Model Type Quantity Acquired Origin Notes Sofreh Mahi Stealth UCAV IranUnder development Karrar (UCAV) UCAV 2010 IranAbabil UAV IranMohajer I/II/III/IV UAV IranSabokbal UAV IranRa'ad UAV IranWith offensive capabilities Nazir UAV IranHod Hod UAV IranSaeghe Target Drone IranMQM-107 Target Drone United StatesOther equipment
- Gas masks
- Bullet Proof Vests (used by specialized units and some army divisions, not yet standard issue)
See also
- Army aviation
- Iranian military industry
- List of countries by level of military equipment
- List of Iranian Air Force aircraft
References
- ^ Hogg, Ian (1989). Jane's Infantry Weapons 1989-90, 15th Edition. Jane's Information Group. pp. 826–836. ISBN 0710608896.
- ^ Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. p. 897. ISBN 0710628692.
- ^ Miller, David (2001). The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns. Salamander Books Ltd. ISBN 1-84065-245-4.
- ^ a b [1][dead link]
- ^ brochures on Iranian Copies of the TOW and DRAGON
- ^ a b John Pike (2009-02-13). "Iranian Ground Forces Equipment". Globalsecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/ground-equipment.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
- ^ According to inss.org.il databases
- ^ SIPRI Arms Transfers Database
- ^ a b c Iranian army armyrecognition.com
- ^ "22 September 2004: Parade in Tehran". Acig.org. http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_394.shtml. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
- ^ "Iran acquires ballistic missiles from DPRK, 29 December 2005". Janes Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on October 22, 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20061022105009/http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jdw/jdw051229_1_n.shtml. Retrieved 12 November 2007.
- ^ http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=123003§ionid=351020101
- ^ a b [2][dead link]
- ^ "Fars News Agency :: Iran Optimizes Missile System". English.farsnews.com. 2008-02-17. http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8611280631. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
- ^ "Almaz/Antei Concern of Air Defence S-200 Angara/Vega (SA-5 'Gammon') low to high-altitude surface-to-air missile system". Jane's Information Group. 2008-04-02. http://www8.janes.com/Search/documentView.do?docId=/content1/janesdata/yb/jlad/jlad0225.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ "Iran set to obtain Pantsyr via Syria - Jane's Defence News". Janes.com. 2007-05-22. Archived from the original on October 18, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071018002847/http://janes.com/defence/news/jdw/jdw070522_1_n.shtml. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
- ^ http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=177315
- ^ http://defense-update.com/products/t/tor.htm Tor M1 9M330 Air Defense System
- ^ "Russia halts sale of air defense missiles to Iran". The Washington Post. June 12, 2010. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/11/AR2010061105248.html. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
- ^ "Iran to unveil S300-type air defence system". Trade Arabia Business News Information. 08 Feb 2010. http://www.tradearabia.com/news/newsdetails.asp?Sn=DEF&artid=174527. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
- ^ http://www.armyrecognition.com/iran_iranian_army_land_ground_forces_uk/iran_iranian_army_land_ground_armed_forces_military_equipment_armoured_vehicle_intelligence_pictures.html
- ^ [3][dead link]
- ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2007.
External links
- Manufacturing equipment for the Iranian Army
- Iranian Defense Industries Organization
- GlobalSecurity.Org - Iran
Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of IranCategories:- Iranian Army
- Military equipment of Iran
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