TEHRAN -- Iran Army on
Tuesday unveiled its first underground air force base, called “Oqab 44” (Eagle 44), which is capable of accepting and operating various types of fighter jets and bombers as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the Air Force.
Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Muhammad Baqeri and Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, the chief commander of the Iranian Army, visited the underground base.
The tactical airbase can accommodate and prepare various aircraft, including fighter jets, bombers, and unmanned aerial vehicles, for missions.
The underground base consists of various sections, such as an alert area, command post, warplane hangars, repair and maintenance center, navigation and airport equipment, and fuel tanks.
The large subterranean airbase can also receive the Air Force’s new fighter jets and prepare them for missions.
Oghab-44 is one of the several tactical underground bases of the Air Force that has been constructed across Iran in recent years considering the operational needs of the Air Force units and the civil defense requirements.
These bases that have been constructed in proportion to the needs and with high safety factor are located under the mountainous areas, so that they can be used for surprise aerial operations in the spots and at the times that the enemies would not expect.
The underground bases accommodate the fighter jets in safe locations and furnish the planes with electronic warfare systems and various bombs and missiles, including Yasin, Qaem and Asef, which allow for standoff aerial operations and extend the strategic range of attacks against remote targets.
The Iranian Air Force had already unveiled an underground drone base dubbed “Drone Base 313”. The recent years’ developments indicate that the Air Force has detailed plans to develop subterranean bases across Iran.
The Iranian Air Force on Tuesday unveiled a homegrown long-range missile that is installed on the Sukhoi Su-24 tactical bombers.
The “Asef” air-launched cruise missile is manufactured by Iranian military experts.
It was put on display during the unveiling of the Air Force’s first tactical underground airbase.
Asef has a warhead with great explosive and destructive power that can annihilate heavy equipment and structures.
The new long-range cruise missile is installed on the Sukhoi Su-24 tactical bombers of the Iranian Air Force.
Gen. Baqeri said Tuesday global demand for defense equipment manufactured by Iran is growing.
He said Iran’s defense power and deterrent capabilities have grown so greatly that more than 90 percent of the military products are manufactured inside the country.
The commander said more and more countries have voiced willingness to purchase the Iranian defense products.
While Iran’s defensive deterrence prevents the threats from being carried out, the Armed Force continue to monitor the situation vigilantly and enhance their preparedness, he added.
The commander further highlighted the resistance front’s growing power in the face of the Zionist regime, which he said is caught in a downward spiral.
The Zionist regime issues occasional verbal threats, but it is aware that it lacks the power to carry out them and is surrounded by the axis of resistance countries, the commander said.