Iran’s new light transport aircraft Simorgh, designed and developed by experts at the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), has successfully conducted a test flight, after it underwent various checks to receive a type certificate.

According to The Iran Project, The turboprop military transport aircraft, named after a benevolent bird in Persian mythology and literature, took the test on Wednesday during the 12th edition of the Iran International Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Iran Airshow 2024, held on Kish Island on the northeast of the Persian Gulf.

“This aircraft has been designed, developed, and manufactured in compliance with international standards and regulations by the Ministry of Defense and [domestic] knowledge-based firms. It was unveiled and flown at this exhibition,” Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Nasirzadeh stated.

He pointed to advances made in Iran's defense and military spheres, saying that major strides in the aviation industry have been taken over the past few years, and the Islamic Republic can now produce a wide range of sophisticated military hardware.

The Iranian defense chief went on to note that his country has attained self-sufficiency in the aviation industry, emphasizing that Western sanctions “have not managed to undermine our willpower and capabilities.”