Iran strives for self-sufficiency in conventional weapons

Recent exercises in Iran have shown that the country's industrial base and engineering workforce are capable of finding their own solutions to their nation's defence needs, despite the nearly three-decade embargo on spare parts from the US.

During the exercises, the Iranian-developed Saeqeh was displayed flying in active formation with IRIAF Northrop F-5s. The Iranian-designed and built aircraft is almost a carbon copy of the F-5. It uses the same J-85 engine as its propulsion system but has a twin, outwardly canted vertical tail similar to the Boeing F/A-18.

An even more curious development is a photo showing an IRIAF McDonnell-Douglas F-4 firing a missile that outwardly resembles the Russian-made Vympel R-33 (AA-9), which would also have required some modification to the aircraft's fire control system. The F-4 is also carrying what appears to be a Westinghouse ALQ-119 or -131 jamming pod. These pods were fitted for the F-4E model, 177 of which were delivered to the Shah's air force before his regime fell.

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