Simorgh aircraft, perfect example of a knowledge-based product

Speaking at a ceremony to unveil the domestically-developed light military transport aircraft, Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani said, “The operationalization of this national strategic product happened as a result of the promises we made to the honorable nation of Islamic Iran in the presence of lawmakers and the president.”

“God willing, we will witness more achievements in different fields such as defense and public services through hard work and stepped-up efforts in the course of the year named by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces [Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei] as ‘the Year of Knowledge-based and Job-creating”, he said.
He elaborated on the climate and geographical position of Iran and stressed the need for the country to possess transport aircraft.

“Given its geographical position and regional extent, Iran always faces the risk of natural disasters such as flooding, wildfire, and earthquakes; therefore, light transport aircraft, along with rescue helicopters, greatly contributes to provision of services to people, institutions and state organizations,” he added.

The defense chief pointed to the current regional developments and the threats facing Iran, emphasizing the important role of transport aircraft in logistics missions, transport of cargo and forces, dispatch of reinforcements for the Armed Forces on battlefields.

“The Defense Ministry, as a power-creating organization and supporter of the Armed Forces, shoulders an important duty in boosting the Islamic Republic’s deterrence. To that effect, the fulfillment of the Armed Forces’ needs in various fields such as aerial, ground and maritime combat, electronic warfare, and in bottlenecks that decide victory in asymmetric warfare, constitutes a priority for the Defense Ministry and will be pursued with seriousness,” Ashtiani said.

He also explained the structure of the Simorgh light aircraft and said, “This plane is the redesigned and modified version of its earlier generations and fully meets the demands of state and army institutions. Having taken into account the country’s climate and international standards, the aircraft’s spare parts, main body and propulsion force have been designed and developed by the country’s youths at the Defense Ministry and knowledge-based firms,” he said.

Simorgh, he said, serves the country’s national interests in all aspects, adding, “The design and development of the aircraft will speed up the entry of the country’s aerial industry into the club of the countries that manufacture heavy and super-heavy aircraft besides boosting foreign currency reserves, lowering the costs, creating jobs directly or indirectly, and realizing the Resistance Economy at the Defense Ministry,” he added.