Military Day aviation practice runs

IRIAF and IRIAA practice runs in anticipation of Military Day, 1390 (2011).

click photos to enlarge

IRIAF Su-24MK attack aircraft; what Iran considers "strategic fighters"

This Military Day air show is slated to showcase Iran's "strategic fighters"

IRIAF F-4E Phantom II fighter-bomber, upon landing at Mehrabad TFB.1

Formation of F-4E fighter-bombers

Technicians tending to a HESA Saegah demonstration aircraft

Saegah (Thunderbolt) demonstration aircraft, cleared for takeoff

IRIAF Saegah and F-5F Tiger II

IRIAF F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighters

Iranian Tomcat with variable wings extended

Experienced "Persian Cat" aircrews

IRIAF F-14 Tomcat formation

Lineup of IRIAF F-4E Phantoms and F-14A Tomcats

IRIAF MiG-29UB (9-51) Fulcrum-B

IRIAF MiG-29UB aircrew

IRIAF MiG-29 formation over Tehran

IRIAA Bell 214A Isfahan medium-lift helicopter

IRIAA Bell AH-1J Sea Cobra (209) attack helicopter

IRIAA Elicotteri Meridionali CH-47C Chinook (219) transport helicopters

Airbase security detail march past an IRIAA Agusta AB-205A-1

multipurpose utility helicopter

Photos:

Hassan Mousavi & Hamed Jafarnejad at Fars News Agency

IIPA

Rouhollah Vahdati at Iranian Student's News Agency

Unidentified photographer

HESA Saegeh Addition to the IRIAF - Updated

According to Iranian state media, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) has taken delivery of two new domestically built Saegeh (Thunderbolt) aircraft. The delivery ceremony was held today at the HESA Company airport in Shahinshahr, Isfahan. A total of five Saegheh aircraft participated in a ceremonial flyby.

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Two additional HESA Tiztak (Bell AH-1J) helicopters were also reported to have been delivered to Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation (IRIAA).

Note: It makes for a bold statement for Iran to continue to paint its new Saegeh warplanes in glossy blue and yellow color schemes. Perhaps it was planned for these additions to participate in last month's Sacred Defense air show, but were not completed in time.

Update:

An unverified report at ACIG states that only Saegeh serial 3-7370 made its maiden voyage for the IRIAF today in Isfahan. The other four aircraft participating in today's festivities were Saegeh serials 3-7366, 67, 68 & 69; all flying in from Mehrabad.

It has been pointed out that the new plane lacks standard F-5 wing tip armament rails, as do three out of the other four aircraft. There is a rumor of an aerodynamic problem associated with the Saegah's use of wing tip mounted AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. If true, this might explain the reason for the continued use of a flashy color scheme: the Saegeh's primary role is that of an air show performer, over that of any secondary role as a combat aircraft. (Again, this is based on rumor.)

Photos: Fars News Agency

News footage of the Iranian made "Saegheh" fighter jet

The Saegheh is an impressive aircraft designed and made solely by Iran, it is used mainly in the air to ground attack role!

Defense Minister: Production of more Saegeh jets

From Fars News Agency:

Iran has produced a number of the domestically-grown 'Saeqeh' (Thunderbolt) jets so far, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said here on Sunday.

Speaking to FNA on the sidelines of "Innovation and Flourishing Festival", Najjar referred to the production of more Saeqeh jets by Iranian defense industries, and said, "Production of domestic jets is one of the important achievements of Iran that should be appreciated."

Recalling the launch of Saeqeh production line, he said that the latest achievements and equipment developed by Iranian experts have been employed in the new generation of the fighter jet.

Saeqeh, a joint product of the Iranian Air Force and the Defense Ministry, went on display as part of the Iranian air force's fleet during the military parades on the Army Day earlier this year.

New generation Saegeh fighter planes

From PressTV:

A senior Iranian defense official says the country has successfully produced a new generation of Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) fighter jets.

The General Manager of Iran's Aviation Industry Organization in the Defense Ministry, Majid Hedayat, said Wednesday that the organization would soon launch a mass production line for the new fighter jets.

"The new generation of Saeqeh fighters are equipped with additional facilities and capabilities," Fars News Agency quoted Hedayat as saying.

Iran test flied the first generation of the home-manufactured 'Saeqeh' fighter jets in September 2007.

Hedayat added that Iranian experts have also produced other military planes, which would later join the Air Force squadron for naval patrolling purposes.

Interesting to see if the new generation of Saegeh will outnumber the low quantity production line of the last generation.

Saeqeh in action Pt. 2

Several examples of the Saeqeh participated at the 2008 Military Day in Tehran.

Saeqeh in action Pt. 1

The HESA Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) is an Iranian single-seater fighter jet. It is the second generation of the Iranian Azarakhsh fighter and, like the first generation, appears to be based on the US F-5E. The Saeqeh is a joint product of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force and the Iranian Ministry of Defense.

Military Developments in Iran

In the past few days, the Iranian military has displayed new weaponry and the military commanders have been increasingly warning against an impending attack on the country.

During the parade in Tehran last Saturday, a medium-range ballistic missile, named Ghadr-1, and its launcher were put on display. The new missile reportedly has a range 500 kilometers more than Shahab-3.

Ghadr-1 was displayed along with older missiles such as Zalzal-3, Fateh-110, Shahab-1 and Shahab-3. The missiles are in the possession of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corp. (IRGC). IRGC also displayed its tanks, missile-carrying carriers and artillery units.

The new IRGC commander, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, said after the parade,“You have seen the missiles. Just pull the trigger and shoot." Jafari added, "Our message to the enemies is: Do not do it. They will regret it, as they are regretting it in Iraq."

The new jetfighter, Saegheh, was flown during the parade. Iran’s air force also deploys two other domestic fighters: Azarakhsh and Tazarv, a training jet.

In related developments, a published report in the US indicated that the US Navy has been alerted for new deployment to the Persian Gulf (Time, Sunday 23 September), and a retired US Air Force officer with experience at the Pentagon told CNN today that US Special Operations forces are already operating inside Iran and the “second phase of overt military action” will soon follow. Colonel Sam Gardiner told Wolf Blitzer that the action plan has been approved by the Pentagon and is now at the White House.

Saegheh Flies Over Tehran

Two of Iran’s new homemade jet fighters, “Saegheh” (Thunderbolt), were flown on test flights over Tehran today. Iranian defense officials say that Saegheh is similar to the American F-18 fighter plane but “more powerful.”

The planes will officially join the air force fleet on Saturday 22 September, Iran’s “Army Day.”