Key Points – Iran’s HESA Kowsar and Saeqeh fighter jets, touted by Tehran as advanced, “100 percent indigenously made” fourth-generation aircraft, are in reality heavily modified or reverse-engineered versions of the American Northrop F-5 Tiger II from the 1960s.
-The Saeqeh is most notable for its twin-tail design, while the Kowsar incorporates some new avionics. However, defense analysts have debunked these claims, identifying the aircraft as refurbished, 40-year-old F-5 airframes.
-While these jets form a part of Iran’s air force, they are technologically outmatched and no threat to modern Israeli or US fighters like the F-35.
Iran’s Version Of the F-5 Tiger II
The American-designed Northrop F-5 was first funded in the late 1950s and initially envisioned as a highly aerodynamic fighter with good handling characteristics, including high thrust and the ability to fly supersonically, as well as ease of maintenance.
Before the fall of the Shah, Iran received extensive American military aid; the Imperial Iranian Air Force received hundreds of F-5s in several variants.
Iran had also received several more advanced fighters from the United States and other countries, which resulted in a sell-off of its F-5 frames. However, they retained several for training purposes or as aggressor aircraft for pilot training.
The F-5 was a simple aircraft, making it an ideal export model.
Iran’s Variants of the F-5 Tiger II
Iran’s version of the F-5 is represented by two primary aircraft: the HESA Kowsar and the HESA Saeqeh. Both derived from the Northrop F-5 Tiger II, with the Saeqeh featuring a distinctive twin-tail design according to Aeroflap, and the Kowsar reportedly incorporating new fourth-generation avionics.
The HESA Saeqeh was developed as a modernization effort for Iran’s F-5 fleet. The Saeqeh is a single-seat jet fighter. The Iranians reverse-engineered the F-5 so they could build it in Iran rather than try to purchase foreign aircraft.
The most notable design change is the adoption of a twin-tail configuration similar to that of the F/A-18 Hornet, which replaces the single vertical stabilizer of the original F-5.
Iranian sources claim the Saeqeh has advanced capabilities, potentially including technologies reverse-engineered from other aircraft flown by Iran, such as the F-14 and MiG-29, according to YouTube.
The HESA Kowsar is another Iranian fighter jet based on the F-5 airframe, also described as a “fourth-generation” aircraft with “advanced avionics” and a multi-purpose radar.
Iranian media have stated that it is “100 percent indigenously made.” That claim is probably false. Although Iranian manufacturers have produced certain parts of the aircraft, the craft are likely refurbished and updated F-5s.
It features a glass cockpit, heads-up display, ballistic computers, and smart mapping systems. It is an exact copy of the F-5 that Iranian manufacturers reverse-engineered.
Are They 100 Percent Iranian, Or Just Copies?
Babak Taghvaee, an author and historian who regularly posts on Iranian military matters, took to “X,” formerly Twitter, to post this:
“Watch propaganda of # Iran’s Islamic Regime. An hour ago, a 42 yrs old #US made F-5F which is just a testbed for avionic of Iranian Air Force future training jet (Kowsar-88) was unveiled & claimed to be a 4th Generation Fighter jet completely designed & manufactured in #Iran!”
David Cenciotti of the Aviationist wrote that “Iran claims it’s a new aircraft, but it’s just a +40 years old two-seat F-5….
“Iranian media says that a new Iranian fighter jet was exhibited during the National Defense Industry show. Images released by various outlets show President Hassan Rouhani sitting in the cockpit of the new “Kowsar” plane, a “fourth-generation fighter,” with “advanced avionics” and multi-purpose radar.
“However, the images and footage released of the “100-percent indigenously made” aircraft clearly show a quite obsolete F-5F Tiger.”
How Good Are The Iranian Variants of the F-5?
Iran reported the twin-tailed Saeqeh to be equivalent to the F-18 Hornet, which was incorrect. The Hornet is a vastly superior aircraft; however, Iran then decked it out in a blue and gold paint job, the colors of the US Navy’s Blue Angels, in an attempt to further mislead analysts.
While Iran’s F-5 fighter jets are old and lack modern capabilities, they remain a significant part of the Iranian Air Force and have been upgraded with some new systems.
These upgrades, although not incorporating the most advanced technology, can render them a threat, particularly in close-in dogfights, especially when used in conjunction with other Iranian air defense systems.
Iran has modified its F-5s, including incorporating new avionics, radar, and electronic warfare systems. Some of these upgrades include an electronically scanned radar, radar-warning gear, chaff and flares, a jamming pod, and a helmet-mounted cueing system for missiles.
But are they capable of taking on modern fighter jets in air combat that the US and Israel operate? That would be a resounding no, which is probably why the IRIAF has not launched them during the attacks by the Israeli Air Force (IAF).
About the Author
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications
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