1) I think they do want to include indigenous upgrades on the Mig-29s but more likely than not, russians are blocking it.
2) Russia will never give ToT for the RD-33, not even the old one which belches smoke. These have to be manufactured at home and I believe they're working on an F-404 clone.
3) Maghsoud seems to be in the process of development, although likely will take another 5 years.
4) This will probably evolve out of the Simorgh aircraft.
5) Depends entirely on how soon a viable domestic turbofan is ready.
6) I admit I don't know.
1) I will be careful blaming any external factor here when we have actual logical evidence in hand of groups pushing their own projects for funding. We know Russians provide upgrades then what has stopped Iran for years getting the benign MIG lfeet upgraded? Even if we had to pay some 10 Million per aircraft for MLU+Upgrade to Russia ... 2 solid interceptor squadrons could have been raised for 250 Million USD with MIG-29M package of Zhuk-ME, new IRST, e-warfare suite and R-74, R-77-1. Instead we are flying MIG-29 9.12 with MIG-23ML's boosted radar RPKL-29 N019 which barely tracks modern fighters at ~50-60 KM. The plane lacks an e-warfare suite. Its main armament is SARH BVR missiles (30 years old and 150 in total). Only thing useful in it is a semimodern IRST and R-73E combination at WVR ranges. Why was not such an attempt made instead of wasting money on maintaining MiragesF1, F-7N, F-5E/F? We know Iran chased the MIG for years in 1990s, how come they suddenly just gave up on it is beyond me. No extensive upgradation evidence or plan for it.
2) Possible route of Iranian Turbofans are either we convert Jahesh-700 (FJ-33) into FJ44-4A with afterburner which will provide some ~6500-7000 lbf or we get R-33MK or WS-13E TOT. Any of such production and installation on Saegheh/Kowsar airframe will put the plane in proper 4+ generation fighter because they have already fullfilled the rest of the criterias.
3) Maghsoud is another generation of Fakour-90 for F-14AM. Equally heavy and large in size so only useful for F-14AM (~16-18 fighters right now??). To arm MIG-29, Kowsar with BVR we need a lighter Active radar homing BVR missile with a range exceeding 100+ KM like R-77-1 or Pl-12/15.
4) AWACS is a money-eating gamble and the problem is the will of the leadership. Leadership has been deceived for a long time with PR stunts like utopian academic project Qaher being shown as in production fighter or radar less Mirages, Saegheh test-beds being presented as F/A-18 equivalents for funding. Raisi's administration is bit different, they are more active people so things may change a bit. If we choose another stupid government again we will see the death of IRIAF altogether.
5) 2 x Jahesh-700 can power a large and fast UCAV that will have the MTOW to accommodate A2G, future A2A armaments along with modular avionics suite. We have unfortunately seen nothing in this regard except for few models of a so-called Sejjil UCAV that looked like Valkyrie. Some people attributed Mobin UAV/Cruise missile to be some form of it.
6) In short, Iran started a local refurbishment project of old AIM-9J (delivered in 1971-77) in the 1990s. Then the project turned into some level of local manufacturing with the local seeker and motor inside AIM-9J's body called "Fatter". The newest shown models have IIR seeker which puts the missile in the category of AIM-9P with a max range of 40 KM. In modern times some countries have used the WVR IR seeking missile platforms to develop deadly maneuverable BVR missiles like the Israeli Derby-IR or AIM-9X BlockII/III that are all elongated WVR missiles turned into no escape BVR missiles. With funding, Iran can easily do the same to provide a deadly weapon to F-14AM, Kowsar-I, F-4E/D and future UCAV-wingmen.
