Iran to start jet fighter production (Azarakhsh)

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:04:58

Iranian made fighter, Azarakhsh.

Iran's Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics has described the test flight of the country's second homemade fighter jet as successful.

Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said the fighter jet, Azarakhsh, would reach industrial production and join the country's air force soon.

Azarakhsh, which has been designed and built by Defense Ministry and Hesa Airplane Manufacturing industries' experts, conducted a successful test flight on Sunday in the central city of Isfahan, where it was built.

" The second generation of the homemade fighter jet will be ready for test flight in the not-so-distant future," the minister announced, adding that a national helicopter, designed by Iran's Defense Ministry would also be tested soon.

Najjar praised Iran's aviation achievements, underlining the country's self-sufficiency in designing and manufacturing different missiles and their components.

According to Najjar, Iran's Defense Ministry, is currently capable of repairing military fighters and passenger planes including Airbus 747.

"Many regional countries bring their airplanes and helicopters for repair to Iran."

Regarding the US decision to demolish F-14 Tomcat fighter jets to prevent the sale of its spare parts to Iran, Najjar noted that the country does not need the sale of F-14 spare parts from the US since 'we can make the spare parts at home'.