Iran Begins Mass Production Of Fighter Aircraft.

Iran has begun mass production of the Saeghe (Thunderbolt) indigenously developed combat aircraft, state media announced on 12 January.

Iran Begins Mass Production Of Fighter Aircraft.

Quoting an Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) spokesperson, the Fars News Agency reported that the country now has 'several squadrons' of the Northrop F-5E Tiger II-derived aircraft in operational service. Prior to the report, the IRIAF was understood to have only about three Saeghe fighters flying with the 23rd Fighter Squadron, based at Tabriz in the far northwest of the country.

First revealed in 2007, the Saeghe is essentially an F-5E (141 of which were procured by the Shah of Iran prior to the revolution in 1979, with 31 still believed to be flying) that has been modified by Hevapeimasazi (Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Company: HESA).

The Saeghe's most obvious modification is the twin-fin configuration that is similar to that of the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet series of aircraft. Indeed.

Iranian officials have previously said that the Saeghe's performance is comparable to the Hornet's, although such claims cannot be independently verified.

While it is not known to what extent the aircraft's engines or avionics have been modified, Russia has supplied many internal systems, and some Grumman F-14A Tomcat and MiG-29 'Fulcrum' components may also have been adapted for the jet.

It is not clear how many of the IRIAF's F-5Es will undergo the Saeghe conversion, but Iranian media has previously reported that 24 such aircraft are planned. While Iranian media has been touting an improved version of the Saeghe since early 2014, no such aircraft has yet been revealed.