US shot down 2 Shahed 129 Drones last month.
Ok, that could be expected from No. 1 military force in this world.
But then Pakistan also probably shot down Shahed 129 drone.
Pakistan has modern radar systems, but surely Saudia and other Gulf countries have more modern US given Radars and ATA missiles and fighter jets.
So, it seems that Shahed 129 (and all the other drones from other countries in this class) might only be good against ISIS/Taliban/Jihadies, or may be for border patrol, but they have absolutely no role against the modern enemy.
Hell, even Syria shot down US MQ-1 Predator drone.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/17/middleeast/syria-us-drone/index.html
Israeli fighter jets avoid to enter the Syrian air space. This gives a hint that even modern fither jets are also some what equally vulnerable as the drones are. The Radar and missile technology improved a lot in last few decades, while fight jets didn't see so much improvement.
I don't know if Only non stealth drones like Shahed 129/ MQ-1 Predator are vulnerable, or even stealth drones too equally vulnerable to modern radars and missiles.
I wonder, if Syria would be able to shot down any US fighter jets with it's present Radars and missiles or not. If yes, then I would say that era of traditional air force is over. Missiles have more speed than jets and thus new era belongs to the missiles and radars.
Therefore, before Iran starts investing heavily in it's Air Force, it would be not bad to see a real battle between Saudi (or even US F-15s) VS Iranian Radars/missiles.
If Iran could hit Saudi F-15s, then it also means that Iranian new fighter jets (non Stealth ones) will only be sitting ducks just like the Shahed 129 Drone.
Jury is also out for stealth drones and stealth fighter jets. Iran was able to track down US stealth drone too.
Ok, that could be expected from No. 1 military force in this world.
But then Pakistan also probably shot down Shahed 129 drone.
Pakistan has modern radar systems, but surely Saudia and other Gulf countries have more modern US given Radars and ATA missiles and fighter jets.
So, it seems that Shahed 129 (and all the other drones from other countries in this class) might only be good against ISIS/Taliban/Jihadies, or may be for border patrol, but they have absolutely no role against the modern enemy.
Hell, even Syria shot down US MQ-1 Predator drone.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/17/middleeast/syria-us-drone/index.html
Israeli fighter jets avoid to enter the Syrian air space. This gives a hint that even modern fither jets are also some what equally vulnerable as the drones are. The Radar and missile technology improved a lot in last few decades, while fight jets didn't see so much improvement.
I don't know if Only non stealth drones like Shahed 129/ MQ-1 Predator are vulnerable, or even stealth drones too equally vulnerable to modern radars and missiles.
I wonder, if Syria would be able to shot down any US fighter jets with it's present Radars and missiles or not. If yes, then I would say that era of traditional air force is over. Missiles have more speed than jets and thus new era belongs to the missiles and radars.
Therefore, before Iran starts investing heavily in it's Air Force, it would be not bad to see a real battle between Saudi (or even US F-15s) VS Iranian Radars/missiles.
If Iran could hit Saudi F-15s, then it also means that Iranian new fighter jets (non Stealth ones) will only be sitting ducks just like the Shahed 129 Drone.
Jury is also out for stealth drones and stealth fighter jets. Iran was able to track down US stealth drone too.
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