The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) says it currently possesses a new generation of F-14 fighter aircrafts with domestically-built radars and refurbished engines.
The Iranian fleet of Grumman F-14 Tomcat aircraft was purchased from the United States during the reign of the deposed Shah of Iran.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the US has placed an arms embargo on Iran, which includes the sale of new F-14 aircraft to the country.
Aziz Nasirzadeh, a top IRIAF official, described the current Iranian fleet of F-14 as "completely overhauled" aircraft.
He also said the aircraft have been improved so that they are now equipped with a new generation of bombers that could not be installed before.
The US announced in January 2007 that sales of spare parts for F-14s would be suspended due to concerns that they could end up in Iran.
Nasirzadeh said Iran was now capable of producing radars for the F-14s and improving the aircraft's engine without dependence on imports.
He added that Iran was now moving on the road to "independence" in producing aircraft parts as the country does not expect foreign countries to provide it with needed supplies. |