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Iran Hopes To Unveil Two-seat Saeqeh Fighter

AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE » FEBRUARY 7, 2014

by  DAVID DONALD

Iran’s Saeqeh fighters wear a ‘Blue Angels’-style paint scheme. These two aircraft exhibit different styles of air intake.

February 7, 2014, 8:01 AM

Brigadier General Alireza Barkhor, the deputy commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, has stated that a two-seat derivative of the country’s homemade Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) fighter will be unveiled in a matter of months. He is hopeful that the aircraft could be ready in time to take part in the April 18 flypast over Tehran as part of National Army Day.

Iran has hinted at the development of a more advanced version of the Saeqeh for some time. Apart from its second cockpit, the new version is more powerful and more maneuverable and has greater range, said Barkhor. It is also expected to have new avionics and expanded weapon options, including precision-guided munitions