In 1976 the Imperial Iranian Air Force started to take possession of what would be 80 total Grumman F-14 fighter interceptor aircraft along with 714 Phoenix Missiles. Although the government is now an Islamic Republic the F-14's are still in use today although only numbering about 40 as the other half are thought to be used for spare parts. They've proven to be very successful in combat and saw action in the Iraq-Iran war and Iranian police actions in Syria and against groups they consider to be rebels. I'm sure as Iranian Air Force has had these vehicles for decades now they've deconstructed and know every inch of them. Is it possible that at any point since purchasing the F-14 that they might have considered building their own version of the planes? More than that could they develop the Tomcat further to make improved models for future generations? Was it a technological or industrial problem? Has it just never made economic sense? When would they most likely have done something like this? Would they have needed the aid of a foreign partner or partners? Could they start producing their own Phoenix Missiles? Could they export either?
Iran Further Develops and Manufactures the F-14?
- Thread starter brokenrobot00
- Start date
would the Iranian's be capable of developing/building a version of the f-14 with Russian engines i'm not certain the could despite all thier bluster 
Not engines as capable as the West and Russians have to offer, but bear in mind that F-14A had Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-414A , high tech for early 70's, 10800lbs / 20900lbs thrust, 1800kg weight.
RamscoopRaider
Donor
Iran has real issues with replicating the F-5, their "indigenous" fighters are widely believed to be re-manufactured F-5's bought by the Shah. Actually building a much more complex aircraft like the F-14 would be impossible, really only the US, USSR, UK and France had that knowledge at the time, and none of them are willing to deal with Iran.
Iran did make their own Phoenix knock off, just took them until 2013 to do it, and 2018 to get the kinks worked
Iran did make their own Phoenix knock off, just took them until 2013 to do it, and 2018 to get the kinks worked
yeah I didn't think they could actually do but I've learned a while ago to never say never
By early 1980s (time of our interest), the TF-30 was a 3rd grade engine. Americans moved on with several new turbofans, Soviets introduced the reheated D-30F on MiG-31 and were working on AL-31. Swedes have a far better engine on the Viggen already in early 1970s.
Iran can try to make do with AL-21 for their copy of F-14, provided the Soviets will sell engines. Yes, it is a turbojet, but it is also much shorter and of smaller diameter, with better thrust.
On the other hand - F-14 was breaking such a new ground almost everywhere we look, and Iran was not a country that can out of nothing replicate the wherevital to reproduce the F-14, or even the F-4.