Kowsar: Iran unveils first domestically manufactured fighter jet

Iran has unveiled first domestically manufactured fighter jet nicknamed Kowsar. It was unveiled at defence show held in the capital city of Tehran.

Kowsar

It is fourth-generation fighter with advanced avionics and multi-purpose radar. It was 100% indigenously made in Iran. Its name Kowsar means river in paradise in Islam and also title of chapter in Koran. It is dual-cockpit, single engine jet with single tail fin.
It resembles US-made F-5F Tiger (first flew in 1974), which is variant of 1950s-era US Northrop F-5 fighter that is a long-time mainstay of Iranian Air Force. It can be used for short aerial support missions. It is equipped with systems that promote precision targeting.

Background

Iran’s functional air force has been limited to perhaps as few as few dozen strike aircraft either Russian or ageing US models including F-5s that were acquired before 1979 Iranian revolution. Iran has unveiled several new fighter jets in last few years. In 2013, it had unveiled domestically built fighter jet  Qahar-313, which was compared to US F-22 and F-35.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2018