Iran to produce a fighter jet
08 Aug 2007
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Iran has started industrial-scale production of its first domestically manufactured fighter jet. Made from reverse-engineered components of US combat aircraft, the plane was first tested in 2006.
It is called Azarakhsh (lightning) and is designed for close air support — part of the country's effort to be militarily self-sufficient.
"It is made by Iranian experts, and has already reached industrial production stage," Iranian defense minister, Mostafa Mohammad Najjar told state TV.
After decades of relying on foreign weapons purchases, Iran has said it is increasingly self-sufficient, and has claimed it has military exports of more than $100 million a year to more than 50 countries.
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