As far as I know,the Phoenix was one of the systems they were able to reproduce.Not only that,but they also made an laser guided air to ground missile,based in part,off the Phoenix.

This issue with buying a new aircraft is simple.No other aircraft is as flexable as the Tomcat,or has as good interception abilities,at least when you’re talking Russian or Chinese.Lets look at some possibilities:

Mig-31 Foxhound:Its been in the rumor mill that Iran looked at getting the Foxhound to replace it’s Tomcats,and it may well have,however,the Mig-31,while great for countering B-1s and cruise missiles,is a sitting duck in a dogfight.

Su-30 Flanker:I’ll admit,if any thing replaced the Cat,this would be the best bet,however,it lacks a true long range missile armament in the class of the Phoenix/R-33 Amos.

Mainly though,the Iranians don’t see a need to replace a battle proven system that works.I think thats what it comes down to.

Anyone have pics of the Saudi RE-3A Sentry or Iraqi IL-76 Baghdad I AEW system with the radar on the rear ramp?

I don’t remember the NATO codename ‘Foxtrot’ being used before ? ‘Bear’ yes but not ‘Bear Foxtrot’ ??? T’would seem in this case they fancied a wee look at the joint marine exercise Neptune Warrior, well wouldn’t you ?
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1109516/L/

I think the reason for the codename Bear Foxtrot is the Tu-142 is the Bear F,aka Foxtrot in the phonetic alphabet.So this would be used to identify that it was an ASW model.

I’ll be the first to disagree.The Mig-29/Su-30 mix is perfect.A nice high-low mix.Just like the F-15/F-16 or the F-22/F-35. Also nice to see the Fulcrum getting some next export orders.

As far as the Rafale goes,I’d say give it time.You have to remember,at one time the Libyian AF operated Mirage 5s side by side with Foxbats,so it’d be foolish to write off the Rafale completly just yet.

So,going off the pic,they could launch it off one of their H-6 Badgers,thats pretty interesting.

Well, you know,Australia has to protect itself from hordes of Chinese Bear,Backfires and Blackjacks.Not to mention the Chinese,Malaysian,Indonesian and Vietnamese Flankers.Come on guys,didn’t any think of any of this!? Its obvious China and possibly India will use Backfires against Australia in the near future.Or so says Carlo Kopp,LOL.
And by the way,for the record,I personally think the guy’s nuts,but in an entertaining way.No shortage of outlandish ideas.

Iran never ordered the Mig-31.Really didn’t need to since it had the F-14.The Tomcat is a better all around fighter then the Foxhound,and alot better dogfighter,