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Iran launches second stage of Air Defense Drills (PHOTO) (UPDATE)

Iran Materials 10 September 2011 14:11 (UTC +04:00)

Photos added

Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 10 /Trend/

The second stage of the Velayet-3 Air Defense drills has today been launched in Tabriz. Saegeh, F4 and F5 fighter, as well as a C 130 tactical cargo plane are involved in the second stage, Mehr News Agency reported.

Different plane equipments, ammunitions and tactics will go under test in four phases during the 10-day exercises started in Northwestern Iran on Sept. 6.

An array of fighter jets, fighter bombers, cargo and transportation planes, including F-4, F-5, SU-24 fighter-bombers, Mig-29 and the logistic C-130 planes, are planned to be used during the current wargames.

Iranian fighter jets, including Saeqeh (thunderbolt), will carry out hundreds of sorties during the wargames and will drop high-tonnage smart and precision-guided bombs on mock targets.

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

Iran successfully tested a home-made radar-evading UAV with bombing capabilities. Also in 2008, the country's Defense Industries launched production of two well-known home-made fighter jets, namely Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) and Azarakhsh (Lightening).
Saeqeh is Iran's first domestically manufactured fighter.

Saeqeh is a single-seater fighter jet. It is the second generation of Azarakhsh fighter. Saeqeh fighter planes were first tested successfully in September 2007. The Saeqeh is a joint product of the Iranian Air Force and the Defense Ministry.

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