The Kowsar fighter jet. Source: the Tasnim News Agency.
A squadron of locally-made Kowsar fighter jets will join the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) in the near future, air force commander Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi announced on September 22.
The commander made the announcement during a ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of Operation Kaman 99 which was carried out by the IRIAF in the very first days of the war with Iraq more than four decades ago.
According to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, Brig. Gen. Vahedi said that “before the revolution, we could not have access to airplanes and our technical work was limited to replacing parts, but today in the air force and our colleagues in the defense ministry, they have entered the field of airplane manufacturing.”
“A squadron of [domestically-made] Saeqeh aircraft was built and it is a very good aircraft. Now the construction of Kowsar aircraft as a jet predator and bomber is in the final phases and in the future a squadron of this aircraft will join the Army Air Force,” he added.
The Kowsar was developed by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company based on the American Northrop F-5. According to the Iranian state-media, the fighter jet has “advanced avionics” and multipurpose radar. It also uses digital data networks, a glass cockpit, heads-up display , ballistic computers and smart mobile mapping systems.
The fighter jet has seven hardpoints with a total capacity of 3200 kg of armaments. It is also armed with a 20 mm cannon.
In 2020, the Iranian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics announced that three new Kowsar aircraft had been delivered to the IRIAF in a ceremony in Esfahan.
Western analysts doubted Iran’s ability to mass produce the Kowsar and described the jet to be inefficient as a weapon. However, they said it has the potential for training the new generation of Iranian fighter pilots.
Iran has been working to rebuild its aerial capabilities for a while now. Earlier this month, the IRIAF received a number of Yak-130 training and light combat jets from Russia. According to unconfirmed reports, Tehran and Moscow also agreed on the supply of Su-30 and Su-35 fighter jets.
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just buy some older russian jets.. cut-off parts of the wing and tail. make the cockpit smaller and update the engine..
iran wants to develop their own industry to avoid dependence on foreign countries. everyone has betrayed them one or more times in the past, including russia. if they get anything from russia it will be the top of the line su-30 and will pursue their own programs.
persia has become a near first-rate military power. history does repeat.
“according to unconfirmed reports, tehran and moscow also agreed on the supply of su-30 and su-35 fighter jets.”
good for both nations.