To much local media attention, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) showcased what it claimed was its first domestically-designed and manufactured fighter jet on Tuesday. However the ‘Kowsar’ bears a striking resemblance to the F-5 designed by Northrop in the 1950s and used by US forces since the 1960s. Iran bought a number of these from the U.S. in the 70s.
Unveiled at a ceremony in Tehran to mark Defense Industry Day attended by President Rouhani, defense minister Brigadier General Hatami and other officials, Rouhani was pictured in the cockpit of the aircraft at the launch.
Local Iranian news agency reports described the Kowsar as a “fourth-generation” fighter jet with advanced avionics, radar and fire control systems. He called for “the discipline, education, faith, motivation, weapons and readiness of our Armed Forces (to) reach a level that no one would dare to attack us,” adding, “Why does the US not attack us? Because it is aware of our power.”
Ofir Gendelman, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, was among those to note the glaring similarity, saying “I immediately saw that this was a very old US warplane.”
Joseph Dempsey, a defense and military analysis research associate at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), pictured them side-by-side on Twitter:
#Iran 'Kowsar' indigenous fighter – prototype 3-7400 (2018)#US Northrop F-5F Tiger II combat capable trainer – prototype 00889 (1974) pic.twitter.com/b8vJ7qGd9n
— Joseph Dempsey (@JosephHDempsey) August 21, 2018
According to Forbes, other analysts also suggested the limitations of utilizing such a dated design. “Yes, it’s a modernised F-5, first designed in the 1950s and in service since the 60s. One can get a lot out of modernising older airframes but this is pushing it,” said Justin Bronk, research fellow for airpower and technology at the Royal United Services Institute.
