The Iraq-Iran-Syria Su-22 Fitter connection

Notes on ex-Iraqi Su-22 "Fitter" fighter-bomber aircraft transferred from Iran to Syria

Details sourced from Babak Taghvaee with commentary by Mark Pyruz

Above: Iraqi Air Force (IrAF) Sukhoi Su-22M-4 observed at Saddam International (BGW / ORBI) in April 1989

[photo: T. Laurent]

Above image reflective of where it all began, one of perhaps as many as forty IrAF Sukhoi Su-22 fighter-bomber aircraft that during the 1991 Gulf War was transferred by surprise from Iraq to Iran, in order to escape U.S.-led coalition air bombardment against Iraqi airfields.

A number of explanations have been offered for this surprise transfer, with this writer inclined to believe Saddam at the most was seeking a temporary safekeeping for such aircraft, or at the least serving to put a kink in U.S. policy of containment effected towards Iraq and Iran.

Above: Sukhoi Su-22M-4 "Fitter" in IRIAF markings, appearing 17SEP1 at IDIO exhibition in Tehran

[photo, magnified: Majid Khodaei]

Fast forward past decades of Iranian Su-22 storage and false-started restoration efforts [see HERE, and HERE], all IRIAF Sukhoi Su-22 aircraft are ordered transferred to IRGC-ASF by Iran's military high command, whereupon ten airframes had undergone some level of restoration. A further three airframes being set for transfer, two of which are to be transferred to the IRGC Pars Aviation Service Company (see photo below) and one to the Artesh Holy Defense Museum at Beheshte Zahra. [see HERE]

Above image of IRIAF Sukhoi Su-22M-4 "Fitter" aircraft, serial 3-6905 scheduled for transfer this week or last to IRGC-ASF, from where it had been stored within an 11th TFS shelter at Tehran/Mehrabad TFB-1.

Prior to delivery to IRGC-ASF, Su-22 aircraft have their in-flight refueling (IFR) probe and Lyulka AL-21 axial flow turbojet engines removed and retained by Iran Aircraft Industries (IACI). Retained IFR probes to to be used for "Project Dowran" upgrading of McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II aircraft, and the upgrading of Mikoyan MiG-29 "Fulcrum" aircraft. Lyulka AL-21F-3 powerplants from Su-22M-4 aircraft potentially suitable for IRIAF Sukhoi Su-24MK "Fencer-D" aircraft, as units or sourced for replacement parts.

Above image from 23NOV14 depicts four ex-IrAF, ex-IRIAF Sukhoi Su-20/22 "Fitter" airframes receiving technical attention at the left-situated, IRGC Pars Aviation Service Company MRO hangar located at Mehrabad (THR / OIII).

Three of the above "Fitter" aircraft are painted in yellow undercoats with one retaining its camouflage paint scheme. Su-20 (IrAF serial 1182) and Su-24UM2K airframes being utilized for parts reclamation-- such as landing gear and movable outer wing segments-- for IRIAF re-serial 3-6906.

Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) Sukhoi Su-22M-4 "Fitter" fighter-bomber

[video still via Luftwaffe A.S]

Meanwhile, Iran's ally the Syrian Arab Republic has been embroiled for years in conflict against Western-backed rebels, as well as ISIL and Al-Qeada affiliated forces. The SyAAF possesses many years experience in operating and maintaining Sukhoi Su-22 Fitter aircraft. At the onset of hostilities, SyAAF operated Su-22 aircraft from the following airfields: Dumayr, Shayrat (677 and 685 Squadrons) and Tiyas (827 Squadron).

An agreement was recently reached between the militaries of Iran and Syria whereby ten Iranian Su-22 "Fitter" airframes are sent to Syria. Fitters delivered to Syria with only fuselage restoration complete, being transported by Ilyushin Il-76 “Candid” aircraft. Initial five transfers occurred between April and September 2013, with a further five delivered more recently. Efforts at completing overhaul toward FMC status have been undertaken by SyAAF.

Transfer of these ten fighter-bomber aircraft fall within the spirit of the Iran-Syria mutual defense pact signed in 2006, details of which have not been made public. Perhaps more pragmatically, the Iranians are expecting transferred aircraft to be returned at some future date, in fully operational condition.

Still from video of Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) Sukhoi Su-22M-4 "Fitter," possibly one of ten ex-Iraqi airframes provided to Syria by Iran.  Above aircraft observed on 09MAR15 above Talbeesa, Homs Governorate. [Complete video HERE]

Video of claimed 22MAR15 airstrike by SyAAF Sukhoi Su-22 "Fitter" over Idlib Governate, said effected near crash site of Syrian Naval Aviation Mil Mi-14PL “Haze” helicopter.  [video: SMART News Agency]

Statement of Iran aircraft being returned to Iraq, rumors of IRIAF ground attack training

 

Above: IRIAF Sukhoi Su-24MK of a type IqAF escaped to Iran during the Persian Gulf War

According to Middle East Monitor:

A spokesman for the Office of the Adjutant General of the Iraqi armed forces has said that his country has returned 130 military aircraft to Iraq, which were held in Iran for more than 20 years. General Qassim Atta explained in a televised press statement that the Iranian authorities have equipped the aircraft with "sophisticated weapons".

"The planes," said Atta, "will participate in the battles against ISIS to liberate the city of Mosul from its control."

Iraq transferred an undisclosed number of fighter and civilian jets to Iran just before the US-led coalition forces launched air strikes in 1991 following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

Groups of Sunni Arabs, led by ISIS, control a number of Iraqi cities in the north, east and west of the country. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has described those groups as "extremist terrorists". Sunni figures, however, claim that what is happening is a Sunni tribal revolt against the discriminatory policies pursued by the Shiite government of Al-Maliki.

Commentary: Rumors of late have have been swirling of Iraqi and Iranian defense officials during the past few days conducting talks in Baghdad, with Iraq requesting Iran provide close air support (CAS) missions in the war against ISIL/allies, and even that Iran return Iraqi combat aircraft flown to sancturary in Iran during the Persian Gulf War.

There are also indications that IRIAF aircraft have recently been engaging in observable, frequent  ground attack training missions, including assemblage of all available MiG-29 types at Tabriz / Shahid Fakouri TAB 2, practicing in the attack role with air-lauched munitions.

Additionally, there are rumors of IRIAF Su-24 MK attack aircraft of 72nd TFS making frequent training missions equiped with B series rocket pods firing S-8 type rockets, and dropping FAB type bombs. Primary onjective of training is said related to IRIAF exercise slated for September 2014, with secondary objective in readiness to counter potential ISIL incursion into Iranian territory.

It appears the Baghdad govenrment is signalling closer military ties with Iran given any apparent American reluctance for direct military intervention in the CAS role. That said, it must now be admiited that future reflagging of IRIAF combat aviation assets with IqAF markings engaging in combat missions over Iraq can no longer be entirely discounted.