THE IRAQI AIR FORCE

More than 40 Iraqi warplanes, including jet fighters, may now be in the hands of Iran. Before the war began, Iraq had nearly 800 warplanes, although many are aging Soviet and Chinese models considered no match for U.S. and allied forces. Only 85 are relatively modern fighters capable of effectively engaging allied planes in aerial combat.

The premier fighters on Iraq’s prewar roster included 30 Soviet made MIG-29 Fulcrums, of which at least six are believed to have been shot down, and 30 French Mirage F-1s, of which at least three have been lost so far.

* The Fulcrum, a 6-year-old Soviet design, is considered one of the best fighters in the world and a match for U.S. F-15 and F-16 aircraft. It can fly in all weather and is suited for aerial combat or ground attack.

* Of Iraq’s fighters, 150 are Soviet MIG-21 Fishbeds, an old model considered incapable of challenging U.S. and allied planes in one-on-one aerial combat. In 1982, Israeli-operated F-15s destroyed 29 Syrian Fishbeds in one day without suffering any losses.

* The Mirage F-1, another modern fighter, is flown by some of Baghdad’s best pilots. Some of Iraq’s F-1s are equipped with Exocet missiles.

Fighters 30 Soviet MIG-29 Fulcrums 30 French Mirage F-1EQs 25 Soviet MIG-25 Foxbats 150 Soviet MIG-21 Fishbeds 40 Chinese J-7s (similar to Soviet MIG-21s)

Ground-attack aircraft 60 Soviet SU-25 Frogfoots 16 Soviet SU-24 Fencers 70 Soviet SU-20 Fitters 30 Soviet SU-7 Fitter As 64 French Mirage EQ5/-200s 90 Soviet Mig-23 Floggers 30 Chinese J-6s (similar to Soviet MIG-19s)

Bombers 8 Soviet TU-22 Blinders 4 Soviet TU-16 Badgers 4 Chinese H-6Ds (similar to Soviet TU-16s)

Attack helicopters 20 French SA-342 Gazelles 13 French SA-321 Super Frelons 30 French SA-316 Alouette IIIs 40 Soviet MI-24 Hinds 56 German Bo-150s