Iran’s Homegrown Transport Plane ‘Simorgh’ Successfully Completes Maiden Flight (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s domestically produced transport plane named ‘Simorgh’ successfully completed its maiden flight, a year after its unveiling by Iranian authorities.
The test flight took place at an airbase in the central Iranian city of Isfahan on Tuesday, with the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri in attendance.
The Simorgh aircraft was designed and manufactured by the Iran Aviation Industries Organization, a subsidiary of the Iranian Defense Ministry.
Iranian authorities have said the development of this aircraft aims to enhance the country's defensive capabilities.
According to a report from the official IRNA news agency, the transport plane is agile, light, and quick, with a high cargo-carrying capacity. It possesses features, including compatibility with Iran's weather conditions, that make it well-suited for critical services such as medical flights.
The report also noted that the Simorgh aircraft will strengthen the ability of Iranian ground and naval forces to transport troops and equipment between bases across the country.
After the successful maiden flight, Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani stated, "The design and manufacturing of this aircraft... accelerate Iran's entrance into the (global) club of manufacturers of heavy and super modern aircraft."
The aircraft has been named after Simorgh, a mythical bird in Persian mythology and literature.