Iran Unveils Light Military Transport Aircraft

Iran’s defense ministry introduced a new homegrown light military aircraft christened ‘Simorgh’ on Thursday.

The military plane was unveiled at the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation in the central city of Isfahan during a ceremony attended by Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, Tasnim News Agency reported.

Ashtiani said Simorgh is a redesigned and developed version of the same generation of transport aircraft that suits the needs of both military and civilian organizations and is appropriate for the weather conditions in the country.

He also noted that all ground and aerial tests of Simorgh have been carried out inside the country, saying the avionics, propulsion system, new compartments and maneuverability of the new transport plane are incomparable with those of the aircraft of the same generation. On the distinguishing features of the aircraft, the general pointed to its light weight, good payload capacity and radius of action, compatibility with Iran’s climate, ability to take off and land on short as well as dirt runways, and its agility that makes it a suitable option as an air ambulance or rescue plane.