So many bitter and downright jealous comments around here lol.
Well done to Iran and the Iranian nation. I say this as a neutral who neither supports nor opposes Iran in regional geopolitical affairs.
Honestly, for a country that's embargoed by literally the entire international community, I think it's rather impressive that Iran has a thriving indigenous military industry. Granted, most of Iran's military products are nowhere near as good as those of other, more experienced countries, but that's not the point. If people think it's about the quality or efficacy of Iran's industrial products, be they military or non-military products, then they're not even thinking properly in the first place. This is about a country that's trying to achieve self-sufficiency across the board, especially with regard to its economy and military. So it doesn't matter if Iran's fighter jets are mediocre compared to those of Western and Far Eastern countries. What actually matters is that Iran is capable of manufacturing its own indigenous military equipment, which will be very useful for the Iranians in a time of war, especially if the war lasts for a very long time and bleeds the financial capabilities of neighboring countries.
Suppose Iran goes to war with Saudi Arabia. There's no doubt in anyone's mind around here that the Saudis will initially have the upper hand in aerial warfare by virtue of their American-made fighter jets. But if the war lasts for a very long time (e.g. more than 6 months) and Saudi Arabia loses a good portion of its American-made fighters jets and forex reserves, then Iran will get the upper hand and ultimately win the war due to its indigenous capabilities, self-sufficiency and resilience.
That's the real difference between Iran and its Arab and non-Arab neighbors alike. And as much as I criticize Iran for many things, I tip my hat off to them for being the only resilient and perseverant country in the Muslim World that has at least attempted to genuinely achieve indigenous technological capabilities and self-sufficiency.
Don't compare this aircraft to those manufactured by Western and Far Eastern countries. Likewise, don't compare Iran's other industrial products with those of Japan, America or the EU. Instead, compare the brains and hard work behind Iran's military industry to what we see in the pathetic Arab World and other parts of the wider Middle East. If the Western World mysteriously collapses into anarchy overnight, Iran will still function as a country tomorrow morning. Iran's neighbors, on the other hand, will all collapse along with the West.
Does it still have an 8 track player? I rate that very high in airframe accessories.
