Sputnik - At a recent exhibition of Iranian defense products, Tehran offered another sneak peak of its new stealth fighter, the Qaher F-313, previously thought to be a legend. Given Iran's record of interest toward Russian military aviation tech, Sputnik Persian suggests there is now a perfect opportunity for the two countries to combine their efforts.





On Saturday, at�a military exhibition in�Tehran attended by�President Hassan Rouhani and Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan, Iranian aircraft designers offered a glimpse of�its new Qaher F-313 stealth fighter jet, once believed to�be a hoax by�many Western defense analysts.

The plane's prototype was shown taxiing along�the runway in�footage released by�local media, although it did not take off�at its unveiling.

Defense Minister Dehghan told media that the production of�the Qaher F-313, together with�Iran's new Kowsar advanced training aircraft, could be seen as "a prelude to�the [future] production of�heavy aircraft in�the country."

The Qaher F-313, a planned Iranian single-seat stealth fighter, caused a furore when it was first unveiled in�early 2013 by�President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and then-Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi. Iranian officials have since�explained that the plane is being designed to�have a very low radar signature, low-altitude flight capability, be rugged and easy to�maintain, and have a payload capacity of�two 2,000 pound bombs, or a larger number of�guided air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles.

For many years after�its initial unveiling, many mostly Western analysts and journalists lampooned the plane, joking that it was a 'model' of�a 'cheap copy' of�American planes. Israeli analysts went so far as�to call the plane a 'hoax'.

Commenting on�the Qaher F-313's weekend taxiing demonstration, Sputnik Persian's staff writers stressed that observers will not have to�wait very long, "because Iran is very seriously and resolutely set" on�accomplishing its goal of�becoming a producer of�combat jets. "Given the pace which Iran has set for�itself in�the defense sector, heavy aircraft will soon will soon go on�display, and then step into�service" with�the country's armed forces, they added. "After all, Tehran considers it extremely important to�strengthen and replenish its defense-industrial complex."
Furthermore, Sputnik Persian noted, "although Iran has set itself the goal of�creating its own 'combat king of�the skies', it is not averse to�working with�a reliable and long-standing partner in�the area of�military-technical cooperation � Moscow, in�the future."


Emad Abshenas, political analyst and editor-in-chief of�the Iran Press newspaper, told Sputnik Persian that the Iranian side's strong interest in�Russian military aviation technologies and the existing successful cooperation between�the two countries in�the defense sector can be combined. "The result may even be the joint production of�export models of�military aircraft," Abshenas said.


"Cooperation between�Iran and Russia became a a genuine and active strategic partnership a long time ago," the observer explained. "During his recent visit to�Moscow and his meeting with�President Vladimir Putin, President Rouhani stressed the need to�develop cooperation in�the production of�weapons. As we are well aware, Russia has a very rich experience in�this area. The Russian defense industry has some of�the most advanced weapons in�the world among�its assets. Naturally, Iran is interested in�using Russia's experience, its technologies and assistance in�the creation of�weaponry."


Furthermore, the analyst recalled, "at the moment, negotiations are already underway on�the manufacture modern tanks and Russian combat aircraft in�Iran. I think that in�the very near�future we will see this coming to�fruition. Such cooperation not only satisfies the needs of�Iran's defense complex, but�will be an excellent opportunity to�export Russian weapons to�other countries through�Iran."