Tensions Rise: Iran and Israel's Air Forces and Defence Systems Compared

Following the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israel, tensions are escalating between Iran and Israel. The article provides a comparison of the two nations' air forces and defense systems. Iran relies on notably older aircraft and a mix of domestic and Russian defense systems, while Israel boasts a more advanced U.S.-supplied air force and sophisticated multi-layered defense systems.

Israel is preparing for potential Iranian retaliation after its airstrike killed Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah, in Beirut last week.

Here’s an overview of the air forces and defense systems of both nations. IRAN: The Iranian air force has 37,000 personnel but lacks modern military equipment due to decades of sanctions. It operates a limited number of Russian jets and aging American models acquired before the 1979 revolution. Analysts estimate Iran’s drone arsenal to be in the low thousands, complemented by over 3,500 surface-to-surface missiles. For defense, Iran relies on a combination of Russian and domestically produced missile systems.

ISRAEL: Israel possesses an advanced air force supplied by the United States, featuring hundreds of F-15, F-16, and F-35 fighters. Recently, Israeli jets have demonstrated capability to target locations as far away as Yemen. Israel also leads in drone technology, and its aerial defense systems—developed with U.S. support—include the Arrow, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome, designed to neutralize threats at varying altitudes. This multi-layered defense network is capable of integrating with U.S. interceptors in the region.