Iran says will unveil homegrown unmanned jet in coming months

An Iranian Defense Ministry official says the Islamic Republic 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 Khajehfard, Head of Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO), said on Monday that the unmanned fighter jet is being built in two versions and will be put on display in the coming months.

“Iranian military experts have managed to acquire the cutting-edge know-know and developed new technologies domestically because multinational arms corporations do not share required technology with Iran,” Khajehfard 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, irrespective of sanctions and coercive measures, have managed over the past four decades to repair and overhaul all aircraft operated by the country’s Armed Forces.

He also said 15 different types of helicopters are now in service at various units of the country’s Armed Forces.

According to Khajehfard, 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 and have developed a special radar 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 the Islamic Revolution Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei has repeatedly called for efforts to maintain and boost Iran’s defense capabilities.