Why Is Iran Still Flying the F-5 Tiger?

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Iran’s F-5 Tiger II aircraft are decades old and utterly outmatched by modern American and Israeli aircraft—but Iran does not have anything better.

The Northrop F-5 Tiger II is a Cold War relic. Once a lightweight US export fighter, the F-5 is still a backbone fighter in the Iranian Air Force—a sanctions-imposed compromise, the shortcomings of which have been apparent during Operation Epic Fury. Set against modern aircraft, like the F-22 and F-35, the F-5 is clearly outmatched—but still used, because Iran simply lacks an alternative.

The F-5 Tiger II’s Specifications

Year Introduced: 1972 (F-5E Tiger II)

Number Built: ~2,500 (35–50 in service with IRIAF)

Length: ~48 ft (14.7 m)

Wingspan: ~26 ft 8 in (8.1 m)

Weight (MTOW): ~24,700 lb (11,200 kg)

Engines: Two General Electric J85-GE-21 turbojets

Top Speed: ~Mach 1.6 (~1,050 mph / ~1,690 km/h)

Range: ~350–550 mi (560–885 km) combat radius ~1,400 mi (2,250 km) ferry range

~350–550 mi (560–885 km)........

© The National Interest