Iran’s Homegrown Fighter Jet Incomparable to Foreign Version: Commander

 Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Army Brigadier General Mohammad Hossein Dadras said the country’s first domestically made fighter jet is “much more powerful” than its foreign version.

Today, Iran builds its fighter jets entirely and does not need any parts from abroad even in the slightest way, Brigadier General Dadras told reporters in Tehran on Tuesday.

He further rejected claims that the homegrown fighter jet dubbed “Kowsar” is similar to US-made F-5F jet, saying it is not comparable to the foreign one and is far more up-to-date and more capable.

The commander added that the mass production of the aircraft will form a basis for the country’s self-sufficiency in meeting needs for other planes.

The remarks came after some Western media reports cast doubt on the claim of pure Iranian technology used in the aircraft and suggested that the design is that of the US-made F-5F jet, first built in the early 1970s.

Last Tuesday, Kowsar was unveiled in a ceremony attended by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

The advanced fighter jet has been manufactured following extensive research and efforts by the Iranian Defense Ministry’s experts.

It enjoys capabilities such as a highly integrated architecture and a fire control system using the fourth generation of the digital data networks.

The aircraft is capable of carrying various weapons and is used for short aerial support missions.

Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made great headways in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in the arms sphere.

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.