According to Military Balance 2002-2003 four Su-27s were delivered
to Syria in 2000.

David Joston wrote:

Would you all stop bickering about the Syrian Flankers and Iranian
Frogfoots!

Picking up a copy of the 2002 edition of Jane's aircraft recognition
guide it clearly states that Iran DOES operate the Su-25 and Syria
DOES NOT operate any Su-27 Flankers.

Since Jane's is the world's authority on aircraft that should settle
the matter.

I also have the book Rob got his information from. It is a good book
for the price $20, but it is meant only as guide, not an authoritative
source of material. Every other volume comes out 2 years from the
previous one making the information contained at the time of printing
obsolete. The publication also includes aircraft deals that may or may
not be filled or just plain cancelled.

So, buy the guide for updated information on individual aircraft like
the MiG 1.44, Su-47, Eurofighter, Gripen, Rafale, etc... and leave the
inventory facts to Jane's.

That's my suggestion.

Also, I was disturbed by Tom Cooper's comments about not trusting
aviation reference books since he, himself, is the co-author of two on
Iranian aircraft. A bit hypocritical Tom? You should have just said to
properly make the distinction between aircraft reference books that
are to be used as guides and serious authoritative books like Jane's
to settle disputes.

We all have lots of aviation books but I would dare say 99% of them
are outdated or wrong. Such is the foolishness of trying to print
anything realted to aviation that is historically accurate,
technically flawless, or up to date.

Just my opinion,
BGX