Iran unveils new fighter jet

TEHRAN,Feb.3(MNA) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiled a new domestically manufactured fighter jet, named the Qaher 313 (Dominant 313), during a ceremony held on the third day of the Ten-Day Dawn. The Ten-Day Dawn, celebrated across the country from January 31 to February 10 this year, commemorates the anniversary of the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979. During the ceremony on Saturday, Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that the Qaher 313 had been designed and manufactured by experts at the Aviation Industries Organization of the Defense Ministry. The “indigenous” fighter plane is made of advanced components and is able to avoid radar detection and fly at low altitudes, he said. The aircraft, which enjoys high offensive capability, is able to carry advanced “indigenous” weapons and take off from and land on short runways, he added. Ahmadinejad also said during the ceremony that the Qaher 313 was the manifestation of Iranian genius and talent to defend itself. The warplane combines all the advanced features of modern fighter jets, he said. In recent years, the Defense Ministry has made significant achievements in the field of aerospace technology. Iran unveiled its first domestically manufactured fighter jet, called the Azarakhsh (Lightning), in 2007. The Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) fighter plane was a follow-up aircraft derived from the Azarakhsh. Iran unveiled its first squadron of Saeqeh fighter jets in an air show in September 2010.