Whist we are discussing just want to say it is worth reading the latest edition of Air International, it has a fascinating article by Babak Taghvaee about Irans attempts to maintain and upgrade the F-14A.

A few things I was surprised to discover including how much spares the Iranians were able to source for the type in recent years even with US attempts to destroy anything related to the F-14 to stop them getting to Iran. That does raise a suspicion in my mind that on occasion the US has actual used F-14 spares as a negotiating tactic via middle men when it wants Iran to do something like release some US citizens etc…

Another surprise is Irans plans to keep the type going until 2040, I am a bit sceptical but if they manage it those Airframes will end up as the longest serving fighter jets in the world!

There was also interesting details about the continuing serviceability of the AIM7 Sparrow with the Iranian armed forces and the adoption of a MIM23 variant in an AIM54 style airframe on their upgraded F-14AM with further plans to develop an active seeker.