Iran Unveils Locally Made Fighter Plane

AP | By NASSER KARIMI

[Pukin Dog]

Iran unveiled its first locally manufactured fighter plane Wednesday during large-scale military exercises, state-run television reported.

The report said the bomber Saegheh is similar to the American F-18 fighter plane, but "more powerful." It also said the plane was "designed, optimized and improved by Iranian experts."

State TV said the Iranian air force had commissioned the Saegheh plane after many test flights in the past year.

Television footage showed the airplane taking off and launching two rockets. The plane had a small cockpit and only one pilot.

"Saegheh is capable of launching both rockets and bombs," the report said.

General Karim Ghavami, commander of Iran's air force, told state-run television that the war games were being held "to show the trans-regional forces that we are ready to defend our country up to the latest drop of our blood."

The Islamic republic is concerned about the U.S. military presence in neighboring Iraq and Afghanistan at a time when the international community has threatened to impose sanctions against Tehran because of its disputed nuclear program.

During the war-games, which began Aug. 19 and have been dubbed "The Blow of Zolfaghar," Iran has test-fired short-range, surface-to-surface missiles, submarine-to-surface missiles, a new air defense system and laser bombs.

Iran's military also test-fired a series of missiles during war games in the Persian Gulf in March and April, including a missile it claimed was undetectable by radar and could use multiple warheads to hit several targets simultaneously.

After decades of relying on foreign weapons purchases, Iran now says it is increasingly self-sufficient, claiming it annually exports more than $100 million worth of military equipment to more than 50 countries.

Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers and missiles, the government said. It announced in early 2005 that it had begun producing torpedoes. The government has not said how many warplanes it will build.

[tobyhill]

"The Islamic republic is concerned about the U.S. military presence in neighboring Iraq and Afghanistan at a time when the international community has threatened to impose sanctions against Tehran because of its disputed nuclear program."

Well, I thought I heard the Rats claim that Iraq was a distraction on the WOT and at a time when we should be dealing with Iran? Seems to me Iraq is the perfect place to be at in the WOT and when dealing with Iran.

[HamiltonJay]

"Our plane cannot be beat."

Lies are one of the very few thing Arabs are good at.

[orionblamblam]

> the war-games, which began Aug. 19 and have been dubbed "The Blow of Zolfaghar,"

WOW. Just... wow. Where does one begin? References to 1930's sci-fi serials? 1970's porn? So many options...

[ArGee]

General Karim Ghavami, commander of Iran's air force, told state-run television that the war games were being held "to show the trans-regional forces that we are ready to defend our country up to the latest drop of our blood."

IIRC, one of the ways the Soviets made the MIG 25 so fast and maneuverable was to do away with non-essentials such as protecting the pilot. Perhapse the way the Iranians "tuned the performance" of this plane was to ensure all pilots are able/guaranteed to become martyrs.

The Islamic republic is concerned about the U.S. military presence in neighboring Iraq and Afghanistan at a time when the international community has threatened to impose sanctions against Tehran because of its disputed nuclear program.

Who is disputing the program?

Shalom.

[johnny7]

More likely suicide weapons... Iranian kamakaze's. If they had enough of them... who's to say that a few wouldn't penetrate a carriers defense-in-depth... especially when in/near the Persian Gulf.

[Right Wing Assault]

What a bunch of crap. Everyone knows that since Mohammed didn't have a jet fighter, they are not allowed.

[Red Badger]

Whole new meaning to the term "AGIT-PROP"...........

[sheik yerbouty]

The afterburner fires up with an awesome blast. Somebody finally figured that lighting fatwas might be useful. Allahu fubar!

[Pukin Dog]

Still looking for a still image, I've seen only video.

[danamco]

A must read book, scary stuff!!!

[Junior]

Iranians are NOT Arabs.

Geez, you'd think this little fact would've percolated through the population here, considering how often it has been pointed out.

[sportsterinred]

Its an interesting dimension they live in. They all speak the truth in some other dimension of time and space and they actually live there. We see it as lying. They speak it as the truth. Obviously we can not tolerate this in our time and space dimension. They need to be wiped out of our reality. They will never change or move into our reality. The sooner we get by this problem we can move on with civilization.

[Publius6961]

Video is good.
Got a link?

[Hatteras]

It's a little blurred due to the speed...

[JamesP81]

Good to know - I just googled a pic of an F-18 and found that pic.

The pic in post 7 is an F-14, which was recently retired. The F-18 remains in service.

[JamesP81]

> the war-games, which began Aug. 19 and have been dubbed "The Blow of Zolfaghar,"

It is a very unfortunate code name.

[operation clinton cleanup]

Is that a new way to park F-14's to save deck space?

[Fiddlstix]

Iran Unveils Locally Made Fighter Plane

[NordP]

Darn google! You ask for an F-18, and they give you F-14's!!!

[Pukin Dog]

No link, I did not view it on the Internet. However, Fox News has been running a short clip periodically.