Where did Iran get its military arms over the last 70 years?

[Kuwaiti Girl]

Where did Iran get its military arms over the last 70 years?

http://www.pri.org/stories/2016-06-01/where-did-iran-get-its-military-arms-over-last-70-years

The supply of arms from the US started to climb in 1953 after Iran's democratically elected prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh was overthrown in a coup engineered by the British and American intelligence services. The Iranian shah, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, returned from exile to rule and become a close ally of the US.

According to a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations staff report in 1976, Iran was the largest single purchaser of US military equipment then. Military sales had increased more than sevenfold from $524 million in 1972 to $3.91 billion in 1974.

SIPRI data shows that the amount rose and peaked in 1977.

(Note: The import values shown in the chart are not actual transaction price. They are measured using a common unit formulated by the SIPRI called trend-indicator value expressed in US dollars at constant 1990 prices to allow comparison and identification of general trends.)

The staff report stated that in 1972 President Richard Nixon and his then-national security adviser, Henry Kissinger, agreed for the first time to “sell Iran virtually any conventional weapons it wanted.” With its oil revenue, Iran acquired some of the most sophisticated US military equipment and received training and technical assistance from American personnel.

The report explained the rationale behind the sales.

“Iran is and will remain an extremely important country to the US and its allies because of its geographical location and oil. Iran, on the other hand, places great importance on its relationship with the US, in large part because of the Iranian belief that the US may come to Iran's defense if it is threatened.”

With that level of support from the US, Iran emerged as a dominant military power in the Middle East, paving the way for nuclear weapon development.

The US-Iran alliance collapsed in 1979 when the shah's authoritarian rule led to riots, protests and eventually the Iranian Revolution. The shah was again forced into exile. An Islamic fundamentalist force, led by anti-American cleric Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, took power and turned Iran into an Islamic republic.

US arms export to Iran was ceased abruptly and earlier orders canceled after Islamic militants took 52 Americans hostage inside the US embassy in Tehran in November 1979.

China and the Soviet Union soon replaced the US becoming major supplier of arms to Iran from 1980s until now.

If you click the zoom-in button on the chart above to focus on the period from 1980 to 2015, you'll notice the US still sold a small amount of weapons to Iran between 1984 to 1986. According to SIPRI database, those are arms were sold covertly and illegally by the US with the help of Israel despite an arms embargo against the Iran.

The US attempted to secure the release of hostages in Lebanon through the clandestine arms deals. The proceeds from the sales were used to fund guerrillas fighting against the left-wing government in Nicaragua in an effort to stop the spread of socialism in Latin America. The scandal would later known as the Iran-Contra affair.

Following US sanctions in 1979 which were further tightened in the 1990s, Iran moved closer to Russia and China. Arms sales from Russia increased significantly in the 1990s.

The sanctions pushed Iran to build its own military industry. The republic produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles, fighter jets and submarines. It also exported military equipment to countries like Syrian and Sudan, according to SIPRI data.

It's well worth reading.

 

[Arminkh]

Well, at least in one instance sanctions worked in our favor!

 

[shah1398]

Seems my question of how Iran maintained US equipment even much after sanctions, has been answered to some extent.

 

[haviZsultan]

Well, at least in one instance sanctions worked in our favor!

Sanctions succeeded in destroying Iran's much justified nuclear program and its reaction, bowing down to US eventually also made it lose its Islamic sympathizer status. Perhaps because Iran was alone and did not receive support from the rest of the Muslim nations.

 

[Faravahar]

Sanctions succeeded in destroying Iran's much justified nuclear program and its reaction, bowing down to US eventually also made it lose its Islamic sympathizer status. Perhaps because Iran was alone and did not receive support from the rest of the Muslim nations.

Iran could not trade in dollars at all, as it was kicked out of swift, no banks would deal with Iran, very few nations would even buy Iranian oil, which at the time was very imported for Iranian revenues. No nations had been so financially sanctioned as Iran was, most other nations would have collapsed yet Iran entered negotiations, still retained its R&D, thousands of centrifuges which practically have the some outcome as the original number and in just 10 years, Iran will be much more powerfully economically, and free to have an industrial size enrichment capability. Let me know what other state could have achieved that under such odds. The word's superpower gave much concession, if we look at original stance and demand of no enrichment and no centrifuges etc.

 

[jammersat]

US , Russia .. to name a few

 

[Signalian]

and Israel also

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_support_for_Iran_during_the_Iran–Iraq_war

 

[Arminkh]

Sanctions succeeded in destroying Iran's much justified nuclear program and its reaction, bowing down to US eventually also made it lose its Islamic sympathizer status. Perhaps because Iran was alone and did not receive support from the rest of the Muslim nations.

Flexible trees can stand heavy storms, Rigid ones will eventually break apart. It is a strategic art to know when to be rigid and when to be flexible.

I don't see what Iran did as bowing down. At one hand, it could continue without trying to reach any agreements which would either lead to a war or where North Korea is. Both outcomes are not desirable. You should never start a war that you can't win and you should never put too much pressure on your citizens for too long. Both of them will eventually lead to a collapse.

Iran knew from day one that it is alone in this world when things get tough. Being around for too long, we are under no illusion that we can rely on any nation for help. Iran found a middle ground where it kept its nuclear credibility without needing to pay for expensive nuclear war heads and buy itself time to mend its economy. You need to survive first in order to succeed and that's what Iran is doing.

 

[Kyusuibu Honbu]

Transfers of major conventional weapons: sorted by supplier. Deals with deliveries or orders made for year range 1950 to 2015

Note: The ‘No. delivered/produced’ and the ‘Year(s) of deliveries’ columns refer to all deliveries since the beginning of the contract. Deals in which the recipient was involved in the production of the weapon system are listed separately. The ‘Comments’ column includes publicly reported information on the value of the deal. Information on the sources and methods used in the collection of the data, and explanations of the conventions, abbreviations and acronyms, can be found at URL <http://www.sipri.org/contents/armstrad/at_data.html>. The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database is continuously updated as new information becomes available.

Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database

Information generated: 02 June 2016




Supplier/ Year Year(s) No.
recipient (R) No. Weapon Weapon of order/ of delivered/
or licenser (L) ordered designation description licence deliveries produced Comments





Argentina

R: Iran (10) Model-81 155mm Towed gun 1984 1984 10



Austria

R: Iran (300) CG-45/GHN-45 155mm Towed gun 1984 1985 (300) Officialy ordered by Libya, but illegally delivered to Iran; originally produced for expected Indian order



Belarus

R: Iran (37) T-72M1 Tank (1999) 2000-2002 (37) Possibly second-hand; supplier could be Russia (as part of Iranian production of T-72)

(2) Vostok-E Air search radar (2010) 2011 (2)



Brazil

R: Iran 25 EMB-312 Tucano Trainer aircraft 1988 1989-1991 (25)



Canada

R: Iran (4) DHC-2 Beaver Light aircraft (1954) 1955 (4)

(2) DHC-2 Beaver Light aircraft (1959) 1960 (2)

(404) PT6 Turboprop 1972 1973-1977 (404) For in PT6T (T400) version for 202 AH-1J combat helicopters from USA; probably from US production line

(40) PT6 Turboprop 1974 1976-1979 (40) For 20 AB-212 ASW helicopters from Italy

(35) PT6 Turboprop (1983) 1984 (35) For 35 PC-7 trainer aircraft from Switzerland; PT-6A-25A version

25 PT6 Turboprop 1988 1989-1991 (25) For 25 EMB-312 trainer aircraft from Brazil; PT-6A-25C version



China

L: Iran (250) Type-63 107mm Towed MRL (1985) 1986-1990 (250)

(200) M-7/CSS-8 SSM 1989 1990-1994 (200) Iranian designation Tondar-69; probably incl assembly/production in Iran

380 C-802/CSS-N-8 Anti-ship missile 1992 1994-2012 (380) Incl for Hudong (Thondor), new-produced and modernized Combattante-2 (Kaman) FAC and coast defence systems; possibly incl air-launched version; Iranian designation Tondar or Noor; status since 2010 uncertain (due to UN arms embargo)

(1100) QW-1 Vanguard Portable SAM (1993) 1996-2006 (1100) Iranian designation Misagh-1

(150) Type-86 APC (1996) 1997-2011 (150) Iranian designation Boraq; incl IFV, anti-tank, mortar-carrier and command versions

. . FL-6 Anti-ship missile (1998) 1999-2015 (260) Developed or copied by China from Italian Sea Killer (Marte-2) anti-ship missile supplied by Iran to China; Iranian designation Fajr-e Darya; incl for SH-3D helicopters; status since 2010 uncertain (due to UN arms embargo)

. . TL-10/FL-8 Anti-ship missile (2002) 2004-2015 (165) TL-10A and possibly TL-10B version; status since 2010 uncertain (due to UN arms embargo)

(50) C-704 Anti-ship missile (2003) 2010-2011 (50) Developed for Iran; Iranian designation Nasr-1

. . C-801/CSS-N-4 Anti-ship missile (2004) 2006-2015 (50) Iranian designation Kosar and/or Sagheb; incl submarine-launched version; status since 2010 uncertain (due to UN arms embargo)

. . QW-11 Portable SAM (2005) 2006-2015 (650) Iranian designation Misagh-2; status since 2010 uncertain (due to UN arms embargo)


R: Iran (16) F-6/J-6 Fighter aircraft (1981) 1982-1984 (16) No. could be 22 or 25

(300) Type-59 Tank (1981) 1982-1984 (300)

(300) Type-59-1 130mm Towed gun (1981) 1982-1984 (300)

(300) Type-63 107mm Towed MRL (1981) 1981-1987 (300)

(6500) Red Arrow-73 Anti-tank missile (1982) 1982-1988 (6500)

(100) D-74 122mm Towed gun (1985) 1985-1986 (100) Type-60 version

(5) F-7A/J-7 Fighter aircraft (1985) 1986 (5) No. could be 25; designation uncertain

(500) HN-5A Portable SAM (1985) 1986-1988 (500)

(150) HQ-2/CSA-1 SAM (1985) 1985-1986 (150)

(6) HQ-2/CSA-1 SAM system (1985) 1985-1986 (6)

(100) Type-59-1 130mm Towed gun (1985) 1985-1986 (100)

(100) C-801/CSS-N-4 Anti-ship missile (1986) 1987 (100) For use with HY-2 coast defence systems; Iranian designation Karus

(7) HY-2 CDS Coast defence system (1986) 1986-1987 (7)

(75) HY-2/SY-1A/CSS-N-2 Anti-ship missile 1986 1986-1987 (75) HY-2 version; for Hai Ying coast defence systems

(600) PL-2 SRAAM (1986) 1986-1988 (600) For F-6 and F-7 combat aircraft

(400) PL-7 SRAAM (1986) 1986-1988 (400) For F-7 combat aircraft

(120) Type-59-1 130mm Towed gun (1986) 1987 (120)

(500) Type-69 Tank (1986) 1986-1988 (500) Type-69-II version; possibly sold or delivered via North Korea

(100) HY-2/SY-1A/CSS-N-2 Anti-ship missile 1988 1988-1994 (100) HY-2 version; possibly incl C-601 (CAS-1) air-launched version

(30) CSS-8 TEL Mobile SSM launcher 1989 1990-1994 (30) Iranian designation Tondar-69

(8) HQ-2/CSA-1 SAM system (1989) 1989-1991 (8)

(200) HQ-2/CSA-1 SAM (1989) 1989-1991 (200)

(15) WA-021/Type-88 155mm Towed gun (1990) 1991 (15)

25 F-7M Airguard Fighter aircraft (1991) 1993 25 Probably F-7N version

(106) Type-59-1 130mm Towed gun (1991) 1992 106

(125) C-801/CSS-N-4 Anti-ship missile (1992) 1995-1998 (125) Incl C-801A version for modernized Saam (Alvand) frigates and Hudong (Thondor) and for modernized Combattante (Kaman) FAC and air-launched C-801K version; Iranian designation Karus; possibly assembled/produced in Iran

10 Hudong FAC 1992 1994-1996 10

(9) Y-12 Light transport ac (1993) 1994-1995 (9) For Revolutionary Guards

2 Y-7 Transport aircraft 1994 1998 (2)

5 F-7M Airguard Fighter aircraft (1995) 1996 5 Designation uncertain (reported as combat aircraft)

(3) JY-14 Air search radar (1996) 1999-2001 (3)

(40) C-701/FL-8 Anti-ship missile (1998) 2001-2004 (40) For China Cat FAC; C-701T and possibly C-701R version; possibly assembled/produced in Iran as Noor, Kosar or Fajr-e Darya

(6) Crotale SAM system (1998) 1999-2004 (6) HQ-7 (FM-80) version; possibly incl production in Iran as Shahab Thaqeb

(250) R-440 Crotale SAM (1998) 1999-2004 (250) HQ-7 (FM-80) version; possibly produced in Iran as Shahab Thaqeb

(9) China Cat FAC (2000) 2001-2004 (9) Incl 4 modified version (without anti-ship missiles)



East Germany (GDR)

R: Iran (2) MiG-21PFM Fighter aircraft (1989) 1989 (2) Second-hand; originally 16 planned incl 4 MiG-21U version, but only 2 delivered before German unification and rest cancelled



Ethiopia

R: Iran (7) F-5A Freedom Fighter FGA aircraft (1985) 1985 (7) Second-hand; incl 2 F-5B version; part of $95 m deal

(3) F-5E Tiger-2 FGA aircraft (1985) 1985 (3) Second-hand; part of $95 m deal



France

R: Iran (2000) ENTAC Anti-tank missile (1966) 1966-1969 (2000)

16 SA-321 Super Frelon Transport helicopter (1969) 1971 16 $28 m deal

(1000) SS-11 Anti-tank missile (1969) 1970-1971 (1000)

(1000) SS-12 Anti-tank missile (1969) 1970-1971 (1000)

(480) AS-12 ASM/anti-ship missile 1971 1971-1975 (480)

12 Combattante-2 FAC 1974 1977-1981 12 Delivery of last 3 delayed after 1979 revolution due to non-payment by Iran; Iranian designation Kaman

(6) TB-20 Trinidad Light aircraft 1995 1996 (6) No. could be 12



Germany (FRG)

R: Iran 2 Bandar Abbas Support ship 1972 1974 2



Israel

R: Iran (300) AIM-9L/M Sidewinder SRAAM (1985) 1985-1986 (300) AIM-9L version; status uncertain

508 BGM-71 TOW Anti-tank missile 1985 1985 508 Second-hand

500 BGM-71 TOW Anti-tank missile 1986 1986 500 Part of 'Iran-Contra' deal; financed by USA



Italy

R: Iran 2 Sea Hunter Fire control radar (1965) 1967 2 For modernization of 1 Battle (Artemiz) destroyer

(120) Marte-2 Anti-ship missile (1966) 1971-1972 (120) For Saam frigates

8 Sea Hunter Fire control radar (1966) 1971-1972 8 For 4 Saam frigates from UK

25 Bell-205/UH-1D Helicopter (1968) 1969-1970 (25) AB-205 version

25 Bell-206/OH-58 Light helicopter (1968) 1969-1970 (25) AB-206A (Bell-206A) version

(14) Bell-206/OH-58 Light helicopter 1969 1971-1976 (14) AB-206A (Bell-206A) version

20 CH-47C Chinook Transport helicopter (1970) 1974-1977 (20)

91 Bell-206/OH-58 Light helicopter 1973 1974-1976 (91) AB-206B (Bell-206B) version

(20) AB-212ASW ASW helicopter 1974 1976-1979 (20)

(12) Compact 76mm Naval gun (1974) 1977-1981 12 For 12 Combattante (Kaman) FAC from France

20 SH-3D Sea King ASW helicopter (1974) 1976-1981 (20) ASH-3D version

2 S-61/H-3A Sea King Transport helicopter 1976 1977 2 For VIP transport; AS-61 version

26 CH-47C Chinook Transport helicopter 1977 1978-1981 (26) Originally 53 ordered, but 20 cancelled after Iranian 1979 revolution and delivery of remaining 7 vetoed by USA



Japan

R: Iran 5 Iran Ajr Landing ship (1978) 1980 5 Officially delivered for civil use but taken over by Navy



Libya

R: Iran (130) EE-9 Cascavel Armoured car 1980 1980 (130) Second-hand (but probably kept in storage and never used by Libya)

(60) T-54 Tank 1981 1981 (60) Second-hand; aid

(65) T-55 Tank 1981 1981 (65) Second-hand; aid

(65) T-62 Tank 1981 1981 (65) Second-hand; aid

(3) 9P117/Scud-B TEL Mobile SSM launcher (1985) 1985 (3) Second-hand

(40) R-17 Elbrus/Scud-B SSM (1985) 1985-1987 (40) Second-hand



Netherlands

L: Iran 12 Hendijan Transport craft (1987) 1988-1995 (12) 4 assembled/produced in Iran; Iranian designation MIG-S-4700


R: Iran 17 F-27 Friendship Transport aircraft (1969) 1971-1977 (17) F-27 Mk-600 version

8 F-27 Friendship Transport aircraft 1974 1976-1981 (8) F-27 Mk-400 version

12 WM-20 Fire control radar (1974) 1977-1981 12 For 12 Combattante-2 (Kaman) FAC from France; WM-28 version

3 Hormuz-21 Landing ship (1983) 1984-1985 (3) Iranian designation Hejaz; officially ordered for civilian use



North Korea

L: Iran (100) BM-21 Grad 122mm Self-propelled MRL (1982) 1982-1987 (100) BM-11 version; incl assembly and probably production in Iran

(100) M-1985 240mm Self-propelled MRL (1987) 1988-1998 (100) Iranian designation Fadjr-3

(170) Hwasong-6/Scud Mod-C SSM 1990 1991-1993 (170) Including assembly from kits in Iran


R: Iran (150) T-62 Tank (1981) 1982-1983 (150)

(6) MiG-19 Fighter aircraft (1982) 1983 6 Second-hand; designation uncertain

(200) Type-63 107mm Towed MRL (1982) 1982-1986 (200)

(480) Type-59-1 130mm Towed gun (1983) 1983-1988 (480) Supplier uncertain

(4000) 9M14M/AT-3 Anti-tank missile 1986 1986-1989 (4000) Possibly for BMP-1 IFV; supplier uncertain

3 Chaho Patrol craft (1986) 1987 3 Iranian designation Zafar

(20) HY-2/SY-1A/CSS-N-2 Anti-ship missile (1986) 1987-1988 (20)

(20) M-1978 170mm Self-propelled gun 1986 1987-1988 (20)

(100) R-17 Elbrus/Scud-B SSM 1987 1987-1988 (100) Incl assembly from kits in Iran

(10) 9P117/Scud-B TEL Mobile SSM launcher (1993) 1993-1995 (10)

(15) Peykaap FAC (2001) 2002-2003 (15) For Revolutionary Guard

(3) Gahjae FAC (2002) 2002 3

(3) Kajami FAC (2002) 2002-2003 (3)

(10) Tir FAC 2002 2002-2004 (10)



Pakistan

R: Iran (5) Delvar Cargo ship (1979) 1980-1982 (5) Incl 2 ammunition transport version

25 MFI-17 Supporter Trainer aircraft 1989 1989-1991 (25) Mushshak version

1 MFI-17 Supporter Trainer aircraft 2002 2002 1 Super Mushshak version; gift from producer



Poland

R: Iran 104 T-72M1 Tank (1993) 1994-1995 104



Russia

L: Iran 9M111 Fagot/AT-4 Anti-tank missile (1991) 1993-2015 (5050) For BMP-2 and Boraq IFV

(413) BMP-2 IFV 1991 1993-2001 (413) 1500 ordered but probably only 413 delivered; 82 delivered direct, rest assembled in Iran; Iranian designation possibly BMT-2

(422) T-72M1 Tank (1991) 1993-2001 (422) T-72S1 version; 1000 ordered but probably only 422 delivered; 122 delivered direct, rest assembled in Iran

. . 9M14M/AT-3 Anti-tank missile (1995) 1996-2015 (4550) Iranian designation RAAD; incl I-RAAD version

(100) D-30 122mm Towed gun (1997) 1998-2002 (100) Iranian designation Shafie D-301 and/or HM-40

9M113 Konkurs/AT-5 Anti-tank missile (1998) 1999-2015 (2900) Iranian designation probably Towsan-1


R: Iran 2 Project-877E/Kilo Submarine 1991 1992-1993 2 $750 m deal; Iranian designation Tareq; ordered from Soviet Union and delivered from Russia after break-up of Soviet Union

1 Project-877E/Kilo Submarine 1993 1996 1 Iranian designation Tareq

(200) V-46 Diesel engine (1993) 1993-2000 (200) For modernization of T-54, T-55 and Type-59 tanks to T-72Z; V-46-6 version; supplier uncertain

104 V-46 Diesel engine (1993) 1994-1995 104 For 104 T-72M1 tanks from Poland; possibly produced in Poland

(2) 2K12 Kvadrat/SA-6A SAM system (1995) 1995-1996 (2) Ex-Russian

(120) 3M9/SA-6 SAM (1995) 1995-1996 (120) Second-hand

5 Mi-8MT/Mi-17 Transport helicopter 1998 2000 5 For SAR

(500) 9M114 Shturm/AT-6 Anti-tank missile (1999) 2000-2003 (500) For Mi-171Sh helicopters; possibly incl AT-9 version

(130) BMP-2 turret IFV turret (1999) 2000-2012 (130) For Boraq IFV produced in Iran (based on WZ-501 APC from China); possibly assembled or produced in Iran; status from 2010 uncertain (due to UN arms embargo)

22 Mi-8MT/Mi-17 Transport helicopter 1999 2000-2001 22 Incl some for SAR; Mi-171Sh version

(20) Mi-8MT/Mi-17 Transport helicopter 2001 2002-2003 (20) $150 m deal; Mi-171Sh version

(40) R-60/AA-8 SRAAM (2003) 2006 (40) For Su-25 combat aircraft; designation uncertain

(6) Su-25 Ground attack ac (2003) 2006 6 Su-25T version (incl 3 Su-25UBK); for Revolutionary Guard

(750) 9M338/SA-15 SAM 2005 2006-2007 (750) For Tor-M1 (SA-15) SAM systems

(29) Tor-M1/SA-15 Mobile SAM system 2005 2006-2007 (29) $700m deal (part of $1 b deal); incl for protection of Iranian nuclear plant

(2) 1L119 Nebo Air search radar (2007) 2010 (2)

(2) Kasta-2E2 Air search radar (2010) 2013 (2)

(2) 1L222 Avtobaza Air search system (2011) 2011 (2)

(150) 48N6/SA-10D Grumble SAM 2015 For S-300PMU-2 (SA-20B) SAM systems

4 S-300PMU-2/SA-20B SAM system 2015 Replacing 2007 order for S-300PMU-1 (SA-20A) cancelled 2010 by Russia after UN embargo on Iran; delivery 2016



South Korea

R: Iran 3 Hormuz-24 Landing ship (1984) 1986 3 Iranian designation Farsi; officially delivered as merchant ships



Soviet Union

R: Iran (70) BM-21 Grad 122mm Self-propelled MRL (1966) 1967-1968 (70)

(300) BTR-152 APC 1966 1967-1968 (300) Second-hand

270 BTR-50 APC (1966) 1967-1968 270 Part of deal worth $110 m

300 BTR-60P APC (1966) 1967-1968 300 Part of deal worth $110 m

(100) ZSU-57-2 SPAAG (1966) 1967-1968 (100) Second-hand

(100) M-46 130mm Towed gun (1970) 1970-1971 (100) Probably Second-hand

200 ZSU-23-4 Shilka SPAAG 1973 1977-1978 (200) Probably more ordered, but cancelled after Iranian 1979 revolution

(2000) Strela-2/SA-7 Portable SAM 1976 1977-1978 (2000)

(400) BMP-1 IFV (1986) 1986-1989 (400) From Czechoslovakian production line

(200) BTR-60PB APC (1986) 1986-1987 (200) Supplier uncertain; probably Second-hand

(400) Strela-2/SA-7 Portable SAM (1986) 1986 (400) Deal also incl 100 launchers; status uncertain

14 MiG-29 Fighter aircraft 1989 1990 14 Possibly Second-hand

(11) MiG-29 Fighter aircraft 1989 1991 (11) Possibly Second-hand

(100) R-27/AA-10 BVRAAM (1989) 1990-1991 (100) For MiG-29 combat aircraft

(400) R-60/AA-8 SRAAM (1989) 1990-1991 (400) For MiG-29 and Su-24 combat aircraft

(300) R-73/AA-11 SRAAM (1989) 1990-1991 (300) For MiG-29 combat aircraft

(2) S-200 Angara/SA-5 SAM system (1989) 1991 (2) Second-hand

(40) S-200/SA-5 SAM (1989) 1991 (40)

(100) Kh-29/AS-14 Kedge ASM (1990) 1991 (100) For Su-24 combat aircraft

(12) Su-24/Fencer Bomber aircraft 1990 1991 (12) Su-24MK version

(1) Big Back Air search radar (1991) 1991 (1) For use with 1 SA-5 SAM system



Sweden

R: Iran (200) RBS-70 Portable SAM (1984) 1985 (200) No. could be up to 400; partly illegally delivered via Singapore and/or Pakistan



Switzerland

R: Iran 4 GDM 35mm Naval gun (1966) 1971-1972 4 For 4 Saam frigates from UK

(100) GDF 35mm AA gun (1974) 1975-1976 (100)

(50) Super-Fledermaus Fire control radar (1974) 1975-1976 (50) For GDF AA guns

15 PC-6 Turbo Porter Light transport ac (1983) 1983-1984 (15)

(35) PC-7 Turbo Trainer Trainer aircraft (1983) 1984 (35) Originally 80 ordered but last 45 cancelled



Syria

R: Iran (2000) 9M14M/AT-3 Anti-tank missile (1981) 1982-1983 (2000) For BMP-1 IFV; supplier uncertain

200 BMP-1 IFV 1981 1982-1983 (200) Second-hand

(120) T-55 Tank (1982) 1982 (120) Second-hand

(100) T-62 Tank (1982) 1982 (100) Second-hand



Ukraine

R: Iran (10) S-200/SA-5 SAM 1992 1993 (10) Second-hand

12 An-74 Transport aircraft 1997 1998-2002 (12) $133 m deal; incl 8 An-74T-200 and 4 An-74TK-200 version

(6) Kh-55/AS-15 Kent ALCM (2000) 2001 (6) Second-hand; illegal deal (with documents giving Russia as recipient)



United Kingdom

R: Iran 2 S-55 Helicopter (1958) 1959 2 Whirlwind HAR-3 version

1 Battle Destroyer 1965 1967 1 Second-hand but modernized before delivery; Iranian designation Artemiz

(25) Sea Cat SAM (1965) 1967 (25) For Battle (Artemiz) destroyer

4 Saam Frigate 1966 1971-1972 4

(450) Sea Cat SAM 1967 1969-1970 (450) Tigercat version

(50) Sea Cat SAM 1967 1971-1972 (50) For Saam frigates

(15) Tigercat-2 SAM system 1967 1969-1970 (15)

2 BH-7 Landing/patrol craft (1969) 1970-1971 2 BH-7 Mk-4 version

(34) Dart Turboprop 1969 1971-1977 (34) For 17 F-27 transport aircraft from Netherlands

(50) Ferret APV (1970) 1970-1971 (50)

45 Rapier SAM system 1970 1972-1973 (45) Part of GBP47 m deal

(1250) Rapier-1 SAM 1970 1972-1973 (1250) Part of GBP47 m deal

(3) S-330 Air search radar 1970 1972-1973 (3)

(2) S-404 Height-finding radar 1970 1972-1973 (2)

(30) Chieftain/ARV ARV 1971 1972-1975 (30)

(14) Chieftain AVLB ABL 1971 1972-1975 (14)

707 Chieftain Mk-3 Tank 1971 1971-1975 (707) Chieftain Mk-3/3P and Mk-5/5P version

4 BH-7 Landing/patrol craft (1972) 1974-1975 (4) BH-7 Mk-5 version

2 Hengam Landing ship 1972 1974 2

(950) Rapier-1 SAM 1973 1975 (950)

(125) Chieftain FV-4030-1 Tank 1974 1978-1979 (125) Orginally more ordered but cancelled after Iranian Revolution in 1979; no. delivered could be 187

(16) Dart Turboprop 1974 1976-1981 (16) For 8 F-27 transport aircraft from Netherlands

1 Kharg Support ship 1974 1984 1 Delivery embargoed after 1979 Iranian revolution until 1984

(36) Rapier SAM system 1974 1975 (36)

(11) Chieftain/ARV ARV (1975) 1979 (11) 32 more ordered but cancelled after Iranian Revolution in 1979

4 Mk-8 114mm Naval gun (1975) 1977-1979 (4) For modernization of 4 Saam frigates

(250) Scorpion Light tank 1976 1975-1978 (250)

2 Hengam Landing ship 1977 1985 2 Original 4 ordered, but 2 cancelled after Iranian 1979 revolution; delivery embargoed after 1979 revolution until 1985 when delivered as hospital ships



United States

R: Iran 10 Cub/L-4 Grasshopper Light aircraft 1948 1950-1951 10 Second-hand; aid

6 Beech-18/C-45 Light transport ac (1949) 1950-1951 (6) Second-hand

(15) M-4 Sherman Tank (1950) 1951 15 Second-hand; aid

(74) T-6 Texan Trainer aircraft (1950) 1950-1956 74 Second-hand

12 PA-18/L-18/L-21 Light aircraft (1951) 1952-1953 12

(75) F-84 Thunderjet FGA aircraft (1953) 1954-1957 (75) Second-hand (but maximum only few years old); F-84G version

(100) M-24 Chaffee Light tank (1953) 1954-1956 (100) Second-hand; aid

(140) M-20 Reconnaissance AV (1954) 1955-1957 (140) Second-hand; aid

(100) M-8 Greyhound Armoured car (1954) 1955-1957 (100) Second-hand

(32) T-33A Shooting Star Trainer aircraft (1954) 1955-1964 (32) Second-hand

(3) FPS-8 Air search radar (1955) 1956 (3) Part of 'LORIDS' (Long-Range Iranian Detection System) air surveillance network

(40) F-86F Sabre Fighter aircraft (1956) 1957-1958 (40) Second-hand; 'MAP' aid

1 Commander Light transport ac 1957 1958 1

2 LCI(L) Landing craft 1957 1957-1958 2 Second-hand; incl 1 'MDAP' aid and 1 on loan; Iranian designation Hengam

(400) M-47 Patton Tank (1957) 1958-1959 (400) Second-hand

4 Adjutant Minesweeper (1958) 1959-1962 4 'MAP' aid; Iranian designation Shahbaz

(700) AIM-9B Sidewinder-1A SRAAM (1960) 1961-1970 (700) For F-86 and F-5A combat aircraft

(1) FPS-20 Air search radar (1960) 1961 (1)

(1) FPS-6 Height-finding radar (1960) 1961 (1)

(250) M-101A1 105mm Towed gun (1960) 1961-1964 (250)

(260) M-48 Patton Tank (1960) 1961-1962 (260) Second-hand

2 PF-103 Corvette 1961 1964 2 'MAP' aid; Iranian designation Bayandor

4 C-130B Hercules Transport aircraft 1962 1963 4 Aid

2 Cove Minesweeper 1963 1964 2 'MAP' aid; Iranian designation Kahnamuie

(95) F-5A Freedom Fighter FGA aircraft 1963 1965-1970 (95) Incl some F-5B

(28) C-130E Hercules Transport aircraft (1964) 1965-1970 (28) No. delivered could be between 17 and 28

2 Cessna-150 Trainer/light ac 1964 1965 2

69 Cessna-180 Skywagon Light aircraft 1964 1965-1966 69 Cessna-185F version

8 Cessna-180 Skywagon Light aircraft 1964 1965 8 Cessna-180H version

20 HH-43B/F Huskie Helicopter (1964) 1965-1968 20 Incl 4 'MAP' aid; HH-43F version

1 LCT Mk-6 Landing craft 1964 1964 1 Second-hand; 'MAP' aid; Iranian designation Queshm

(300) M-113 APC (1965) 1966-1968 (300) M-113A1 version

3 PGM-71 Patrol craft (1965) 1967-1970 3 Iranian designation Parvin

(400) AIM-4C Falcon SRAAM (1966) 1968-1969 (400) AIM-4D version; for F-4D combat aircraft

(125) AIM-7C Sparrow BVRAAM (1966) 1968-1969 (125) For F-4D combat aircraft

(2) HAWK SAM system 1966 1966 (2)

(150) MIM-23A HAWK SAM 1966 1966 (150)

(50) Mk-44 ASW torpedo 1966 1967-1968 (50)

2 PF-103 Corvette 1966 1969 2 'MAP' aid; Iranian designation Bayandor

(400) AIM-9E Sidewinder SRAAM (1967) 1968-1969 (400) For F-4D combat aircraft

6 Cessna-310 Light aircraft (1967) 1968 6

32 F-4D Phantom-2 FGA aircraft 1967 1968-1969 32

13 F-5A Freedom Fighter FGA aircraft 1967 1968-1969 13 RF-5A reconnaissance version

(100) M-114 155mm Towed gun (1967) 1968-1969 (100) Probably second-hand

(50) M-115 203mm Towed gun (1967) 1968-1969 (50) Second-hand

32 F-5A Freedom Fighter FGA aircraft 1968 1971-1972 (32) Incl some F-5B

460 M-60A1 Patton-2 Tank (1968) 1969-1970 (460)

(32) C-130H Hercules Transport aircraft (1969) 1970-1975 (32) No. delivered could be 28 or 43

12 Cessna-337/O-2 Light aircraft (1969) 1970 12 O-2A version

(700) AIM-7E Sparrow BVRAAM (1970) 1971-1976 (700) For F-4E combat aircraft

(700) AIM-9J/P Sidewinder SRAAM 1970 1971-1977 (700) For F-4E combat aircraft; AIM-9J version

1 Amphion Repair ship 1970 1971 1 Second-hand; on loan until bought in 1977

11 Bell-212/UH-1N Helicopter (1970) 1970-1971 (11)

32 F-4E Phantom-2 FGA aircraft 1970 1971 32

9 FPS-6 Height-finding radar 1970 1971-1973 (9) Probably part of 'Peace Ruby' deal

(9) FPS-88 Air search radar (1970) 1971-1973 (9) Probably part of 'Peace Ruby' deal

(50) M-109 155mm Self-propelled gun (1970) 1970 (50)

(4) RF-4E Phantom-2 Reconnaissance ac (1970) 1971-1972 (4)

(16) RIM-66B Standard-1MR SAM (1970) 1974 (16) For modernized Sumner destroyers

1 S-62 Helicopter (1970) 1971 (1) For VIP transport

(17) Turbo Commander Light transport ac (1970) 1970-1976 (17) Incl some Commander-690 version

(4760) BGM-71 TOW Anti-tank missile (1971) 1973-1976 (4760) BGM-71A version; incl for AH-1J helicopters

49 Bonanza Light aircraft 1971 1972-1977 (49)

37 I-HAWK SAM system (1971) 1974-1979 (37) Part of $687 m deal

6 KC-707 Tanker/transport ac 1971 1975 (6)

(1811) MIM-23B HAWK SAM (1971) 1974-1979 (1811) Part of $687 m deal

2 Sumner FRAM-2 Destroyer 1971 1973-1974 2 Second-hand but modernized before delivery; Iranian designation Babr

(2500) AGM-65 Maverick ASM (1972) 1973-1976 (2500) $57 m deal

202 AH-1J SeaCobra Combat helicopter 1972 1974-1977 (202) AH-J International version; incl 62 with TOW anti-tank missiles

(1000) AIM-9J/P Sidewinder SRAAM (1972) 1973-1977 (1000) For F-5E combat aircraft; AIM-9J version

(296) Bell-214 Helicopter 1972 1975-1978 (296) Bell-214A version

102 F-4E Phantom-2 FGA aircraft 1972 1973-1975 102

(139) F-5E Tiger-2 FGA aircraft 1972 1973-1976 (139) No. could be 141

(40) M-107 175mm Self-propelled gun (1972) 1973 (40)

38 M-110 203mm Self-propelled gun (1972) 1973 (38)

22 CH-47C Chinook Transport helicopter (1973) 1976 (22)

2 I-HAWK SAM system (1973) 1975-1976 (2) Iranian HAWK SAM systems rebuilt to I-HAWK

390 M-109A1 155mm Self-propelled gun (1973) 1974-1979 (390) M-109A1B version

(274) AIM-54A Phoenix BVRAAM (1974) 1977-1979 (274) $150 m deal; for F-14A combat aircraft; 150 more ordered but embargoed after Iranian 1979 revolution

(20) AQS-13 ASW sonar 1974 1976-1979 (20) Probably AQS-13B version; for 20 AB-212 ASW helicopters from Italy

3 Boeing-747 Transport aircraft (1974) 1975 3 Second-hand; Boeing-747-131 version

79 F-14A Tomcat Fighter aircraft 1974 1976-1978 (79) Originally 80 ordered but 1 embargoed after Iranian 1979 revolution and taken over by US in 1986

36 F-4E Phantom-2 FGA aircraft 1974 1977 36

5 KC-747 Tanker/transport ac (1974) 1975-1976 5 Second-hand Boeing-747-131 transport aircraft modified to KC-747 tanker/transport aircraft before delivery

6 P-3F Orion MP aircraft (1974) 1975 6 Deal worth $98 m

(14) RGM-84 Harpoon Anti-ship missile 1974 1978 (14) For Combattante-2 FAC; originally more ordered but embargoed after Iranian 1979 revolution.

(128) RIM-66B Standard-1MR SAM 1974 1976-1978 (128) Incl for 1 modernized Battle (Artmemiz) destroyer

1 Steam turbine Steam engine 1974 1984 1 For Kharg support ship from UK

8 TPS-43 Air search radar (1974) 1976 8 Part of 'Peace Crown' programme; aid

(516) AIM-7E Sparrow BVRAAM (1975) 1976-1978 (516) Over 380 more cancelled after 1979 Iranian Revolution

(288) AIM-9J/P Sidewinder SRAAM 1975 1976-1979 (288) For F-14A combat aircraft; AIM-9J version; 362 more cancelled after 1979 Iranian Revolution

28 F-5E Tiger-2 FGA aircraft 1975 1976-1977 28 F-5F version

634 FGM-77 Dragon Anti-tank missile (1975) 1976 634

6 KC-707 Tanker/transport ac 1975 1976 (6)

6 S-65A/CH-53 Stallion Transport helicopter 1975 1976-1977 6 RH-53D version

39 Bell-214 Helicopter 1976 1976-1978 (39) Bell-214C SAR version

(19064) BGM-71 TOW Anti-tank missile (1976) 1976-1979 (19064)

(3) Boeing-707 Transport aircraft (1976) 1978 (3)

1 Boeing-747 Transport aircraft (1976) 1978 1 Boeing-747-2J6F version

7 F-4E Phantom-2 FGA aircraft (1976) 1978-1979 (7) 31 more ordered but embargoed after 1979 Iranian Revolution

(9716) FGM-77 Dragon Anti-tank missile (1976) 1977-1978 (9716)

(100) M-113 APC 1976 1978 100 M-113A1 version

(300) Paveway Guided bomb (1976) 1977-1978 (300)

(25) AGM-45A Shrike ARM 1978 1979 (25) Rest of order for 1000 cancelled after 1979 Iranian Revolution

(25) MIM-23B HAWK SAM (1985) 1985 (25) Part of 'Iran-Contra' deal; delivered via Israel

1000 BGM-71 TOW Anti-tank missile (1986) 1986 1000 Part of 'Iran-Contra' deal

(235) MIM-23B HAWK SAM (1986) 1986 (235) Part of 'Iran-Contra' deal


http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

Transfers of major conventional weapons: sorted by supplier. Deals with deliveries or orders made for year range 1950 to 2015

Note: The ‘No. delivered/produced’ and the ‘Year(s) of deliveries’ columns refer to all deliveries since the beginning of the contract. Deals in which the recipient was involved in the production of the weapon system are listed separately. The ‘Comments’ column includes publicly reported information on the value of the deal. Information on the sources and methods used in the collection of the data, and explanations of the conventions, abbreviations and acronyms, can be found at URL <http://www.sipri.org/contents/armstrad/at_data.html>. The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database is continuously updated as new information becomes available.

Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database

Information generated: 02 June 2016

Supplier/ Year Year(s) No.
recipient (R) No. Weapon Weapon of order/ of delivered/
or licenser (L) ordered designation description licence deliveries produced Comments

Sweden

R: Iran (200) RBS-70 Portable SAM (1984) 1985 (200) No. could be up to 400; partly illegally delivered via Singapore and/or Pakistan

Iran was not approved to buy the RBS-70, and no country is allowed to re-export them,
so any found in Iran are all illegally delivered

 

[haviZsultan]

Flexible trees can stand heavy storms, Rigid ones will eventually break apart. It is a strategic art to know when to be rigid and when to be flexible.

I don't see what Iran did as bowing down. At one hand, it could continue without trying to reach any agreements which would either lead to a war or where North Korea is. Both outcomes are not desirable. You should never start a war that you can't win and you should never put too much pressure on your citizens for too long. Both of them will eventually lead to a collapse.

Iran knew from day one that it is alone in this world when things get tough. Being around for too long, we are under no illusion that we can rely on any nation for help. Iran found a middle ground where it kept its nuclear credibility without needing to pay for expensive nuclear war heads and buy itself time to mend its economy. You need to survive first in order to succeed and that's what Iran is doing.

I wish Iran the best. You are right and the policy Iran follows is pragmatic and survivalist. When the entire world is against you you eventually realize that building bridges with the communities is better despite their arrogant demands.

Pakistan had survival in its mind when it accepted the role of America's bride when US threatened to bomb us into the stone age. Most countries have survival and self interest in mind when making all decisions and Iran had such interests in mind too. Sadly I was denied the entertainment of any country standing up to the US bullying and succeeding despite that. Iran has lost much due to isolation and sanctions by world bully no 1. The economy of Turkey has crossed the economy of Iran in these years of economic turmoil when both were similar once.

In my eyes no regime can or has the ability to stand against US bullying. When I saw Iran defying the US I felt that there was at least one country that is defying American strong arm tactics.

 

[VEVAK]

Transfers of major conventional weapons: sorted by supplier. Deals with deliveries or orders made for year range 1950 to 2015



http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php

Fact is Iran producing it's own weapons is bad business for US weapons manufactures because in their mind that would set a bad example for countries in the Middle East to follow so they counter with nonsense like this!

Half the info posted here regarding Iranian weapons purchases past the 1990's is based on nonsense!!

It took the west some time to realize that Iran is not really buying any weapons in large numbers but now they know it's a matter of Iran setting a bad example for their Arab customers who spend BILLIONS yearly so they counter with propaganda!

According to this Iran isn't producing it's Anti-Ship cruise missiles like the Kowsar Missiles it's buying them from China!
which is nonsense! Yea maybe US sold Iran it's Scan Eagle and RQ-170 too!! LOL! Iranian version of Scan Eagle aren't only being produced but they are on the field being used on a daily bases

Iran has made public it's Micro Turbojet engine production facilities used for Iranian Noor and Ghadir missiles so building smaller rocket power version like the Kowsar is a peace a cake for Iran! so again, nonsense!

Iran may buy a handful off the black market but that's only for reverse engineering nothing more and Iran has proven that over and over again!

If Iran was incapable of reverse-engineering and producing these parts at home today it would be practically impossible for Iran to have a single American Made Helicopter, Fighter jet, Aircraft, Ship, Tank, SAM system, etc. etc operating in it's fleet!

almost 20 YEARS ago US went and shredded all it's F-14's because it was under the delusion that Iran was buying parts off the black market and yet still Iranian F-14 take to the sky's on a daily bases!

And now that Iran has started working on it's own designs that fact will become more clear to everyone year after year and I'm sure western weapons manufacturers will do their best to counter with more propaganda!

 

[Hack-Hook]

and Israel also

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_support_for_Iran_during_the_Iran–Iraq_war

the weapon were bought from USA not Israel ,don't forget that deal also consist of parts for F14 and Israel never had any spare for that airplane. they were just the delivery boy

 

[Michael Corleone]

I know hey got American arms until the royals got ousted... And one thing I don't understand is how is their f-14 still on service? How old is that elephant?

 

[AmirPatriot]

I know hey got American arms until the royals got ousted... And one thing I don't understand is how is their f-14 still on service? How old is that elephant?

Elephant? That's a curious phrase for the most beautiful aircraft ever.

The Tomcats are about 40 years old. Iran got parts on the black market for the first 1 or 2 decades, while building up domestic production. With all American F-14s shredded, I expect Iran manufactures all the parts it needs for the F-14.