Equipment of the Iranian Army

From 1925 to the Iranian Revolution in 1979, Iran was equipped with the very latest Western hardware. Cases exist where Iran was supplied with equipment even before it was made standard in the countries that developed it (for example the US F-14 Tomcat, or the British Chieftain Tank). Primary suppliers included the United States, Britain, France, the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany), Italy, Israel, and the Soviet Union.

The Iran–Iraq War, and post revolutionary sanctions at the time had a dramatic effect on Iran's inventory of western equipment. Under the pressures of war all supplies were quickly exhausted and replacements became increasingly difficult to come by. The war eventually forced Iran to turn towards the Soviet Union, North Korea, Brazil, and China to meet its short term military requirements. Initial developments in every field of military technology were carried out with the technical support of Russia, China, and North Korea to lay the foundations for future industries. Iranian reliance on these countries has rapidly decreased over the last decade in most sectors where Iran sought to gain total independence; however, in some sectors such as the Aerospace sector and missile technology Iran is still greatly reliant on external help. Iran has developed the capacity to reverse engineer existing foreign hardware, adapt it to its own requirements and then manufacture the finished product. Examples of this are the Boragh and the IAMI Azarakhsh. In an attempt to make its military industries more sustainable Iran has also sought to export its military products.

This page includes weapons used by both Iranian army and Revolutionary Guards ground forces.

Infantry weapons

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Caliber	Notes
Pistols
M1911		United States	Pistol	.45 ACP
PC-9 ZOAF		Switzerland Iran	Pistol	9×19mm Parabellum	Unlicensed production of P226 variant.
Submachine guns
Uzi		Israel	Submachine gun	9x19mm Parabellum
Heckler & Koch MP5		Germany Iran	Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum	Manufactured under license by DIO as the Tondar (MP5A3) and Tondar Light (MP5K).
Rifles
Fajr 224		United States Iran	Carbine	5.56×45mm NATO	Unlicensed copy of the M4 Carbine. Special forces use only.
H&K G3A6		West Germany Iran	Battle Rifle	7.62×51mm NATO	Standard-issue service rifle of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. G3A3 version manufactured under license.
KH-2002		Iran	Assault Rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Iranian designed bullpup configuration of the Chinese Norinco CQ 5.56×45mm rifle. Limited service.
Fateh Assault Rifle		Iran	Assault Rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Iranian 5.56x45mm modular rifle inspired from the American ACR and FN SCAR rifles.
S-5.56 (Sayyad)		People's Republic of ChinaIran	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Copy of the Norinco CQ. In service with Saberin unit.
KL-7.62	File:Norinco type 56.jpg	People's Republic of ChinaIran	Assault Rifle	7.62×39mm	Iranian copy of the Chinese Type 56 and AKM. Possibly produced under license. IRGC´s main service rifle.
AKM		Soviet Union	Assault Rifle	7.62×39mm	Reserved.
Machine guns
RPK		Soviet Union Iran	Light Machine Gun	7.62x39mm M43	Local production.
PK machine gun		Soviet Union Iran	General-purpose machine gun	7.62x54mmR	Local Production.
MGA3		West Germany Iran	General-purpose machine gun	7.62×51mm NATO	Licensed production.
DShK		Soviet Union Iran	HMG	12.7x108mm	Manufactured DShKM variant named MGD 12.7,
M2 Browning		United States	Heavy machine gun	12.7X99mm NATO	Standard heavy machine gun of the Iranian Army.
Sniper Rifles
Nakhjir		Soviet Union Iran	Sniper Rifle	7.62x54mmR	Dragunov SVD manufactured under license.
AM-50 Sayyad		Switzerland Iran	Anti-materiel rifle	12.7×99mm NATO	Purchased a batch of 600 rifles in 2006. Iran has since produced an unlicensed version of the Steyr HS.50 under the name AM-50 Sayyad.

Anti-Tank Weapons

Model	Type	Quantity	Acquired	Origin	Photo	Notes
SPG-9	Recoilless rifle			Soviet Union/Iran
M40	Recoilless rifle			United States/Iran
RPG-7				Soviet Union/Iran
Type 69 RPG				People's Republic of China		Chinese copy of Russian RPG-7.
Saegheh				Iran		Improved version of the RPG-7.
RPG-29				Soviet Union
Saeghe 1/2	Anti-tank guided missile	Unknown		Iran		Reverse engineered M47 Dragon.
Toophan Toophan 2 Toophan 2B Toophan 2M Toophan 3 Toophan 4 Toophan 5 Toophan 6 Toophan 7	Anti-tank guided missile	Unknown	Entered production 1987/1988. Revealed 2000. N/A N/A Introduced 2016 First shown to the public in 2017 but in use since at least 2015. Began development in 2002 and entered production in 2010. Shown to the Public in 2017 Planned Variant, currently in development.	Iran	File:Toop 1.jpg Toophan 1 Anti-Tank Guided Missile File:Toophan 3.jpg Toophan 3 Anti-Tank Guided Missile File:Toop 5.jpg Toophan 5 Anti-Tank Guided Missile ||Considered to be the BGM-71A TOW clone, the Toophan-1's payload is a 3.6 kg HEAT warhead. the top speed 310 m/s. Toophan-1 marketing material claims a hit probability of 96%. The Toophan 2 is a derivative of BGM-71C TOW missile with a tandem HEAT warhead; possibly incorporates elements of BGM-71E TOW 2A missile. The Toophan 2B is an upgraded model of the Toophan 2 with heavier warhead. The Toophan 2M is an upgraded model of the Toophan 2B equipped with a tandem-warhead. The Toophan 3 is a reverse-engineered American BGM-71F TOW 2B top-attack missile. The Toophan 4 is a variant of the Toophan family which is equipped with a thermobaric fuel-air warhead. Considered the premier Toophan variant, the Toophan-5 has laser guidance, tandem-warhead and canards. As a laser-riding missile, it uses a different launcher. Not a copy of any TOW variant. The Toophan 6 is a variant of the Toophan family which is equipped with an anti-bunker thermobaric warhead and is said to be laser-riding. The Toophan 7 is a planned variant of the Toophan family, it's equipped warhead is unclear some sources claim it is perhaps fragmentation thermobaric.
Qaem Qaem-M	Anti-aircraft missile	Unknown	Entered mass production in 2009	Iran	File:Toop 1.jpg A Qaem Missile.	The Qaem is an Iranian SACLOS beam-riding SHORAD surface-to-air missile. With a range of six kilometers and a maximum altitude of two kilometers, the Qaem is intended for use against UAVs and low flying or stationary helicopters. The Qaem is a development of the Toophan missile, hence why they are identical in appearance. The missiles can be used by Ghods Mohajer UAVs. The Qaem anti-aircraft missile uses a laser guidance system. Iran also produces a variant, the Qaem-M, which adds a proximity fuse.
9K11 Malyutka/Raad	Anti-tank guided missile	Unknown		Soviet Union/Iran		Manufactured in Iran under the name Raad.
9K111 Fagot	Anti-tank guided missile	Unknown		Soviet Union
9M113 Konkurs	Anti-tank guided missile	Unkown		Soviet Union/Iran		Built as Towsan-1 or M-113 in Iran.
9K115-2 Metis-M	Anti-tank guided missile	Unknown		Russia/Iran		Produced under license from Russia.
MILAN	Anti-tank guided missile	Unknown		France		Captured during the Iran-Iraq War. Probably no longer in service.
Dehlavie	Anti-tank guided missile	Unknown		Iran		Iranian copy of Kornet. Available as Pirooz vehicle-mounted weapon station.

Armored Fighting Vehicles

Armored fighting vehicles
Model	Type	Quantity	Acquired	Notes
Cobra BMT-2	Armored personnel carrier		1997
Boragh	Armored personnel carrier	140	1997
Rakhsh	Armored personnel carrier
Sarir	Armored personnel carrier
Sayyad	Armored fast attack vehicle
M113	Armored personnel carrier	200
BTR-50	Amphibious Tracked Armored personnel carrier	150	1966
BTR-60	Amphibious Armored personnel carrier	150	1966
Type 63	Armored personnel carrier
Type 86/BMP-1	Infantry fighting vehicle	210
BMP-2	Infantry fighting vehicle	400	1991–2001	1,500 ordered in 1991 from Russia and 413 were delivered between 1993 and 2001 of which 82 were delivered directly by Russia and 331 were assembled in Iran. 100 were in service in 1995, 140 in 2000 and 400 in 2002, 2005 and 2008. 400 are currently in service.
FV101 Scorpion	Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance	110	1997	Tosan is a domestically produced light Tank, based on the FV101 Scorpion
Tosan Tank	Light Tank	20	1997
EE-9 Cascavel	Armored car	189
Zulfiqar MBT 3 Zulfiqar MBT 2 Zulfiqar MBT 1	Main Battle Tank	4(prototypes) - 150	1996–present
Chieftain Mobarez	Main battle tank	~100		707 Mk-3P and Mk-5P, 125–189 FV-4030-1, 41 ARV and 14 AVLB obtained before the 1979 revolution. Further planned deliveries of the more capable 4030 series were cancelled at that point. 100 in service as of 2005. Upgraded to Mobarez
M60 Patton	Main Battle Tank	~150		Some sources claim ~150 M60
M48 Patton	Main Battle Tank	~150		Some sources claim ~150 M48
M47 Patton	Main Battle Tank	~170
T-62	Main Battle Tank	75	1981–1985	65 ordered in 1981, currently 75 are in service. Source Global Security
T-72S	Main Battle Tank	480	1994–1999	Iran produced 422 T-72S tanks under licence from Russia from 1993-2001, received 104 T-72M1 tanks from Poland from 1994-1995 and 37 T-72M1 tanks from Belarus starting in 2000
T-54/55 Type-72Z Safir-74	Main Battle Tank	540		~200 Type-72Z Safir-74
Type 59	Main Battle Tank	220		Since 2002, Iran possesses approximately ~220 Type 59 main battle tank.
Type 69	Main Battle Tank	200
Ch'ŏnma-ho	Main Battle Tank	150	1982–1985	150 ordered in 1981 from North Korea and delivered between 1982 and 1985. Most likely retired from service.

Other vehicles

Model	Type	Quantity	Acquired	Notes
Safir Jeep	Multipurpose Military vehicle	3000+	2008	Yearly production of 5000 vehicles
Samandar	Light Attack Vehicle
Kaviran	Multipurpose Military vehicle
Sepehr	Utility vehicle
Aras	Multipurpose Military vehicle
Ranger	Light Attack Vehicle
Neynava	Lightweight Truck
Mercedes-Benz L-series truck	Truck
Mercedes-Benz Actros	Heavy Truck
KrAZ Trucks	Heavy Truck

Artillery

Mortar

Model	Type	Quantity	Acquired	Origin	Notes
37mm Marsh Mortar	37mm Mortar			Iran
HM 12	60mm Mortar			Iran
HM 13	60mm Mortar			Iran
HM 14	60mm Mortar			Iran
HM 15	81mm Mortar			Iran
HM 16	120mm Mortar			Iran
Razm Mortar	120mm Mortar			Iran
Vafa Mortar	160mm Mortar			Iran

Mortars Reference 1: Mortars Reference 2:

Towed artillery

Model	Type	Quantity	Acquired	Origin	Notes
M101A1	105mm Howitzer	130		USA
2A18M	Howitzer	540		Russia/China
Type-54	Howitzer	100		China
M1954/Type 59-1	Howitzer	985		USSR/China	In 2002, Iran had 1,100 M-46 in conditional use. By 2012 this number has dropped from 985.
M1955	Howitzer	30		USSR/China
WAC-21	Howitzer	15		China
GHN-45	Howitzer	120		Austria
M-114	Howitzer	70		USA
122mm HM 40	Howitzer			Iran
155mm HM 41	Howitzer			Iran
FH-77B	Howitzer	18
G-5	Howitzer	50		South Africa	In 1990, Iran had 50 G-5. Howerver, there is no current information on the condition of these Howitzer.
M-115	Howitzer	20		USA
Type 63 MRL/Fajr 1	MRL	700	1986	Iran/China

Artillery Reference 1:

Self-propelled artillery

Model	Type	Quantity	Acquired	Origin	Notes
2S1 Gvozdika	Self-propelled howitzer	60		Russia
Raad 1	Self-propelled howitzer		1996	Iran	Based on 2S1 Gvozdika
Raad 2	Self-propelled howitzer		1997	Iran	Based on M109
M-109	Self-propelled howitzer	180		USA
M-1978	Self-propelled howitzer	20		North Korea
M-107	Self-propelled howitzer	30		USA
M-110	Self-propelled howitzer	30		USA
Fajr-3	MRLS	10	1994	Iran
Fajr-5	MRLS		1990s	Iran
BM-21 Grad	MRLS	100	1978	USSR
122mm Hadid/Azrash/Nur	MRLS	50	1994	Iran	Domestic BM-21 developments?

SPA Reference:

Surface-to-surface missiles

This refers to ballistic missiles and not battlefield systems. Iran's missile forces are under the command of the Revolutionary Guards, under the army's authority.
Additional information is available at Air Force of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution who operate Iran's long-range missiles. Iran was reported to have purchased 18 mobile 3,200-4,000 km Musudan missiles (the extended range version of Soviet R-27 Zyb) in 2005.

Anti ship missiles

Model	Type	Quantity	Acquired	Origin	Notes
Kowsar 1/2/3	Anti-ship missile			Iran	Light ASCM based on Chinese C-701 and TL-10
Nasr-1	Anti ship missile			Iran	Light ASCM based on Chinese C-705 and TL-6
Noor	Anti-ship missile			Iran	ASCM based on Chinese C-801 and C-802
Ra'ad	Anti-ship missile			Iran	Iranian origin Heavy ASCM similar to Chinese C-401
Qader	Anti ship missile			Iran
Khalij Fars	Anti-ship ballistic missile			Iran	Based on Fateh-110
Zafar	Anti-ship missile			Iran	Light ASCM for IRGC navy

Anti ship missiles Reference 1: Anti ship missiles Reference 2:

Battlefield missile systems

Model	Type	Quantity	Acquired	Origin	Notes
Tondar-69	Rocket artillery			Iran
Oghab	Rocket artillery		1985–present	Iran
Naze'at	Rocket artillery			Iran
Zelzal	Tactical ballistic missile			Iran
Fateh-110	Tactical ballistic missile		2002–present	Iran

Battlefield missile systems Reference 1: Battlefield missile systems Reference 2:

Air defence missile systems

Main article: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force

Army aviation

The Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation (IRIAA) is the air arm of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. It is not known how much of this inventory is actually operational.

A CH-47C Chinook of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation.

Aircraft	Type	Versions	In service (Flight Global)	In service (Global Security and IISS)	Notes
Bell 206 JetRanger	utility helicopter	AB 206A Shabaviz 2061	3	10	built by Agusta and Panha
Bell 204/205	utility helicopter	AB 205A Shabaviz 2-75		68+	built by Agusta and Panha
Bell 214	medium-lift transport helicopter	214A		50
Mi-17/Mi-171sh	transport helicopter	Mi-17 Mi-171sh		25
Bell AH-1J Sea Cobra	attack helicopter	AH-1J Panha 2091	6	50	Model 2091 upgrade by Panha
Toofan	attack helicopter
Boeing CH-47 Chinook	Heavy-lift transport helicopter	CH-47C	15	20	built by Agusta
Dassault Falcon 20	VIP transport	Falcon 20E	25	1
Aero Commander	utility transport	690	5	4
Fokker F27 Friendship	tactical transport	F27-400M F27-600	2	2

Unmanned aerial vehicles

Model	Type	Quantity	Acquired	Origin	Notes
Sofreh Mahi	Stealth UCAV			Iran	Under development
Karrar (UCAV)	UCAV	2010		Iran
Ababil	UAV			Iran
Mohajer I/II/III/IV	UAV			Iran
Raad 85	UAV			Iran	Suicide drone
Ra'ad	UAV			Iran	With offensive capabilities
Nazir	UAV			Iran
Hod Hod	UAV			Iran
Saeghe	Target Drone			Iran
MQM-107	Target Drone			USA
Yasir	UAV			Iran

Other equipment

• Gas masks
• Bullet Proof Vests (used by specialized units and some army divisions, not yet standard issue)

See also

• List of military equipment manufactured in Iran
• Army aviation
• Iranian military industry
• List of countries by level of military equipment
• List of Iranian Air Force aircraft

References

External links

• Manufacturing equipment for the Iranian Army
• Iranian Defense Industries Organization
• GlobalSecurity.Org - Iran
• Iranian Manufactured Assault Rifles
• Iranian military light vehicles
• Iranian military heavy transport trucks
• Iranian SPG artillery
• Iran's artillery
• Iran's small arms
• Iran's UAVs

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• Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics
• Cyberwarfare

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