Iran Unveils New Home-made Communication Satellites, Plans to Build New Fighter Jets

Local Editor

Iran on Monday unveiled two domestically-made communication satellites, one to bolster its wireless connections and the other capable of taking high-resolution pictures, media reported.

The state-run IRNA news agency named the two satellites as Khalije Fars [Persian Gulf] and Tadbir [wisdom] and said they were built by scientists at local universities.
"Khalije Fars, designed and manufactured by researchers at Malek Ashtar University, is a small satellite which provides secure satellite wireless connections at national or regional scope," IRNA said.

It further revealed that Tadbir was built by Tehran's University of Science and Industry and is capable of conducting photographic assignments with a resolution of 100 meters.
The deputy head of Iran's space agency, Hamid Fazeli, meanwhile told Fars news agency that the Islamic republic will launch a satellite into orbit by the end of the Iranian year, which ends on March 21.

Fazeli clarified that Tadbir is among a number of satellites that are ready to be launched into space. He did not give further details.
Iran has already launched three satellites into space since 2009 and plans to send a human into orbit by 2020.
In another achievement, the Islamic Republic announced its plans to build semi-heavy and training jets.
According to a senior Air Force commander, the country's experts have equipped Mirage fighters with state-of-the-art home-made weapons.

The plan for manufacturing semi-heavy fighter jets has been sent to senior officials to receive their approval, and "once approved, the Defense Industries will start building them", Islamic Republic Air Force Chief Liaison Officer General Aziz Nasirzadeh told FNA.

He also referred to the mounting of modern equipment on Mirage fighter jets, and said, "We have mounted foreign-made fuel tanks on these fighter jets which has prolonged their flight duration and equipped them with home-made weapons and ammunition."
The General said also elaborated on the features of the indigenous Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) military fighter jets, and said they enjoy air-to-air refueling capability.
"Other projects are also underway by the Defense Industries to manufacture more fighter jets, one of which is Kowsar training jet," he said.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team