Iran Successfully Produce a New Generation of the Globally Known Version of F14

An Iranian Air Force commander announced here on Tuesday that the country overhauls and optimizes different types of military aircraft, mentioning that Air Force has even installed Iran-made radar systems on the sophisticated F14 fighter jets.

"Indeed, it can be said that most airplanes have the previous designs but all of their components, including systems and parts, are being optimized and upgraded on a continued and regular basis," Iranian Air Force Lieutenant Commander for Coordination General Aziz Nasirzadeh said in an interview with FNA on Tuesday.

The commander stated that mounting optimized home-made 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) smart bombs, Qassed (Messenger), on Iranian bombers is an instance of the country's capability to upgrade its fighter jets.

The Iranian Army's Air Force announced in September that it has successfully test-fired Qassed (Messenger) 1and 2, in aerial drills over the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

Referring to the promotion of the systems and capabilities of F14 fighter jets, Nasirzadeh said, "…today we have a new generation of F14 fighters at our service, and its radar system has been upgraded by our local experts."

Reiterating that the new radar system has been built and installed on the F14 fighter jets by the Iranian personnel, the General added, "Therefore, we can enhance and upgrade it (radar) continuously.

The commander also pointed out that his forces have even upgraded the jet engines of F14, and said considering the numerous alterations that Iran has made to the radar system and the engines of F14, it can be said that what Iranian Air Force now has is a new generation of the globally known version of F14.

He further announced that Iran has already started a move to manufacture aircraft engines and has achieved acceptable results in this regard.

Iran has recently made good progress in the air industry and succeeded in gaining the technical know-how for producing stealth aircraft and drones.

In September 2009, Iran displayed the first squadron of Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) fighter jets produced by its defense industries in an air show staged during military parades at the beginning of the Week of Sacred Defense, marking Iranians' sacrifices during the 8 years of Iraqi imposed war on Iran in 1980s.