Iran Begins Mass Production Of Yasin Jet Trainer Aircraft
The Iranian Ministry of Defense inaugurated a production line in Tehran on Saturday, March 11, for the mass production of the domestic jet trainer, also known as the Kosar-88 or Yasin. The second prototype of the Yasin jet trainer was also displayed at the ceremony, which was attended by Iranian Defense Minister Amir Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani, Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi, and CEO of Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) Brigadier General Afshin Khajeh Fard.
According to Iran’s IRNA news agency, in his speech at the ceremony, Iranian Defense Minister Amir Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani stated that the design process for the Yasin jet trainer began years ago, and its unique design allowed it to be used for both warplanes and close air support. The minister stated that one of Iran’s main concerns is the training of fighter pilots, and that this training aircraft, which was mostly developed with domestic resources, can perform the duties assigned by the air force well.
Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi, Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF), stated that Iranian fighter pilots had previously received training abroad and said, “The first sector affected as a result of sanctions against our country was this field, which created difficulties for us in terms of training.” Vahedi also claimed that the use of the new jet trainer will make Iranian fighter pilot training more comprehensive and shorter.
Yasin is a jet trainer designed by Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) and manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries (HESA). The aircraft was unveiled to the public for the first time in 2019 at Hamadan Shahid Noje Air Base, with the participation of then-Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami and then-Vice President Sorena Sattari. The first prototype of the aircraft carried out its first flight test in the same year. Since then, the Iranian Aerospace Industries Organization has revealed the updated and improved second prototype of Yasin, based on feedback from the aircraft’s tests. According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the new Yasin has more advanced electronics, avionics, ejection seats, engines, air-to-air radar, and landing gear than the first prototype. Brigadier General Afshin Khajeh Fard, CEO of the Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO), stated in an exclusive interview with IRNA that the differences between the first and second prototypes of the Yasin jet trainer are not limited to its avionics systems, but that they also carried out certain optimization efforts in the aircraft’s design. Khajefard also stated that the second prototype, which was unveiled at the opening ceremony of the production line established for the aircraft’s serial production, will be Yasin’s production standard.
With Yasin’s entry into service, it is planned that Iranian fighter pilots in the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) will be able to learn the fundamental tactics and techniques of air and air-to-ground combat before flying F-14 Tomcats, F-4E Phantom II, F-5E Tigers, and Russian MiG-29s. These aircraft, which will replace the Northrop F-5B Freedom Fighters and Chengdu FT-7N Airguards, will also bring an end to Iran’s 30-year search for an advanced jet trainer.