New generation of fighters to join Iranian Air Force soon

TEHRAN,Sept.26(MNA) – The deputy commander of the Iranian Air Force for coordination affairs has announced that a new generation of Saeqeh (Lightning) fighter jets will be delivered to the Air Force in the near future. Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said, “A new generation of indigenized Saeqeh fighters is being manufactured and will join the fleet of the Air Force in the near future under a new name.” He also said that the new generation of Saeqeh fighters, which has been upgraded by Iranian experts, is much more advanced than its predecessor. Nasirzadeh added that new Saeqeh fighters will be equipped with advanced electronic systems and smart bombs. The Saeqeh is an Iranian built single-seat jet fighter, derived from the U.S. Northrop F-5. It is a joint product of the Iranian Air Force and the Iranian Defense Ministry. It is the second generation of the Iranian Azarakhsh fighter. Saeqeh fighters were tested successfully on September 20, 2007.