Iran to unveil indigenous unmanned jet
An Iranian Defense Ministry official says the country plans to unveil the unmanned version of the domestically-developed Qaher-313 (Conqueror-313) stealth fighter aircraft within the next few months.
Brigadier General Afshin Khajeh Fard, who is also the head of Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO), announced on Monday that the unmanned fighter jet is being built in two versions and will be put on display in the coming months, according to Press TV.
“Iranian military experts have managed to acquire the cutting-edge know-know and modern technologies since multinational arms corporations do not share the technology with Iran,” Khajeh Fard said.
The Iranian fighter jet Qaher-313 was unveiled in February 2013. The single-seat stealth fighter jet can take off and land on short runways.
He added that Iranian military specialists and technicians, despite the fact that the country is under sanctions and coercive measures, have managed to repair and overhaul all aircraft operated by the country’s Armed Forces over the past four decades.
He also said 15 different types of helicopters are among the fleet of aircraft made available to various units of the country’s Armed Forces.
According to Khajeh Fard, Iran now manufactures Simourgh light transport aircraft, which weighs between 4 and 6 tons.
Homegrown Yasin training jet will also undergo a test flight in the next few weeks, he added.
Iranian technicians, he said, are currently upgrading bombs and missiles intended to be furnished in Kowsar fighter jets with a radar that was specifically developed for it.
Iranian military experts and engineers have in recent years made remarkable breakthroughs in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient.
Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities — including its missile power — which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran’s defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiations.
Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has repeatedly called for efforts to maintain and boost Iran’s defense capabilities.