Iran Displays Latest Air Force Capabilities in Army Day Parades

The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) displayed several squadrons of its operational fleet in an air show on the Army Day on Saturday.

Different types of IRIAF fighter jets and fighter bombers took part in the air show staged over the mausoleum of the Founder of the Islamic Republic, the late Imam Khomeini, South of the capital Tehran.

The home-made ‘Saeqeh’ (Thunderbolt) and ‘Azarakhsh’ (Lightening) fighter jets as well as F4, F14, Mig 29, Sukhoi 24 fighter jets in several squadrons flew over the sky of Southern Tehran.

Aerial refueling operation was also conducted by two fighter jets during the air show.

Various units of the Islamic Republic Army started military parades in Tehran and other cities across Iran on Saturday morning to mark the National Army Day.

Senior Iranian officials, including President Hassan Rouhani, as well as a host of top military commanders are attending the ceremony.

Iran has been pushing an arms development program in recent years in a bid to reach self-sufficiency. Tehran launched its arms development program during the 1980-88 Iraqi imposed war on Iran to compensate for a US weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own jet fighters and armored vehicles as well as radar-avoiding missiles and other high-tech weapons.

Yet, Iranian officials have always stressed that the country’s military and arms programs serve defensive purposes and should not be perceived as a threat to any other country.