Preparing for Su-35 Fighter Jets, Iran Debuts Underground Air Force Facility 'Eagle 44' Capable of Housing Drones and Aircrafts
In a strategic move to bolster its air defense and survivability, Iran has unveiled a new underground military base, Eagle 44 (Oghab-44), located deep beneath the southern mountains of the country, less than 120 km from the Persian Gulf. This fortified, hidden air base is designed to protect Iran's advanced aircraft from potential air strikes, offering a substantial upgrade in aerial combat capabilities.
The base, inspected by the Chief of Personnel of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, and Iran's Army Commander, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, is more than a mere shelter. It functions as a launchpad for Iran’s most capable fighter jets, including the planned relocation of aging F-4 Phantoms and newer Sukhoi SU-35s. This implies a substantial upgrade in Iran's aerial combat capabilities, as the SU-35 is a modern multirole fighter that significantly boosts aerial combat power, and its underground deployment enhances survivability against preemptive attacks.
Eagle 44 boasts several strategic advantages. Its underground location makes it nearly impervious to conventional and precision strikes from adversaries, a critical factor given regional tensions and threats of Israeli and U.S. strikes against Iranian military infrastructure. The base's large tunnel entrances and taxiways ensure quick sortie launches even during times of heightened conflict. Its proximity to the Persian Gulf is geopolitically vital as it lets Iran defend this major strategic waterway and project power across a critical maritime corridor.
The base symbolises Iran’s intent to safeguard its air assets and maintain aerial defense readiness even under siege or attack, thus raising the cost for any potential enemy considering strikes against Iranian air power. In short, Eagle 44 significantly enhances Iran's air defense resilience by ensuring key fighter jets remain operational and protected even under attack, thus bolstering Iran’s ability to maintain air superiority and conduct retaliatory operations.
The base includes an alert area, command post, warplane hangars, repair and maintenance center, navigation and airport equipment, and gas storage tanks. The underground facilities for aircraft provide safe and secure locations and outfit them with electronic war tools, various bombs, and missiles.
Recent events have highlighted the importance of this new base. The introduction of Eagle 44 comes just days after the US and Israel's joint exercise, widely interpreted as a message to Iran amidst intensifying tensions. Iran has taken a severe exception to a recent drone strike that struck a military factory in the central city of Isfahan, charging Israel of conducting the attack and pledging vengeance. Two new weapons were unveiled at Drone Base 313, including the Heidar-1 cruise missile.
As the threat continues to escalate from the West and regional opponents, Iran is expected to build more such military centers underground to ensure the survival and readiness of its air force. Currently, Iran's Air Force operates a fleet of archaic F-4 Phantom II, F-14 Tomcat, F-5E/F Tiger II aircraft, and a few MiG-29 aircraft from the Cold War period. The addition of Eagle 44 and future bases like it will undoubtedly reshape the regional balance of power.
- The underground location and advanced facilities of Eagle 44, such as the warplane hangars, command post, and electronic war tools, make it an ideal launchpad for modern fighter jets like the Sukhoi SU-35, signifying a significant upgrade in Iran's finance-heavy aerospace industry.
- Given the strategic value of the Persian Gulf and the ongoing tensions in the industry, the proximity of Eagle 44 to the Gulf allows Iran to project its power across a critical maritime corridor, potentially influencing the financial and political dynamics of the region.
