TEHRAN -- Iran’s new light transport aircraft Simorgh, designed and developed by experts at the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), successfully conducted Wednesday a test flight.
The turboprop military transport aircraft, named after a bird in Persian mythology and literature, took the test during the 12th edition of the Iran International Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Iran Airshow 2024, held on Kish Island on the northeast of the Persian Gulf.
“This aircraft has been designed, developed, and manufactured in compliance with international standards and regulations by the Ministry of Defense and knowledge-based firms. It was unveiled and flown at this exhibition,” Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Nasirzadeh stated.
He pointed to advances made in Iran’s defense and military spheres, saying that major strides in the aviation industry have been taken over the past few years, and the Islamic Republic can now produce a wide range of sophisticated military hardware.
Nasirzadeh said Iran has attained self-sufficiency in the aviation industry, emphasizing that Western sanctions “have not managed to undermine our willpower and capabilities.”
Secretary of the Supreme Economic Coordination Council Mohsen Rezaei also underlined the importance of military and defense development in order to maintain and strengthen national independence and freedom through reliance on domestic capabilities.
“The U.S. and Israel are against the independence of countries, and everyone must be cautious against their conspiracies,” Rezaei said.