Iran says producing passenger plane

Iran’s Defense Ministry says it will begin the production phase of a domestically-manufactured medium-size passenger plane.

Speaking at an avionics conference in Tehran on Sunday, Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the aircraft is designed to carry up to 150 passengers.

Vahidi also said apart from outstanding progress in the making “stealth” drones, the ministry is also working with the private sector to develop larger passenger planes.

The remarks came a day after the ministry equipped its Air Force with 10 new Toufan (storm) helicopters.

The helicopter is equipped with “state-of-the-art weapons systems including anti-tank missiles, rocket-launchers and 20mm canons,” Vahidi said.