Iran’s Domestically Produced Jet Trainer Yasin Makes Its First Flight
Last week, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Minister of Defense, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, stated that the second prototype of the domestically produced Yasin jet trainer had successfully completed its first flight. Speaking to Iranian press regarding the development, the Minister of Defense stated, “This success of the Iranian Aviation Industry Organization plays an important role in the field of pilot training in the country.” Following the Iranian general’s statements, flight footage of the aircraft in question was released on Iranian media social media accounts. As far as can be understood from the footage, the flight took place at Hesa Air Base in Shahin Shahr city of Iran. No other information about the flight was shared with the public.
Yasin is a jet trainer designed by Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) and manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries (HESA). In March 2023, the second prototype of the Yasin jet trainer was unveiled at a ceremony in Tehran. The ceremony additionally commemorated the opening of the production line for serial production of the aircraft.
Yasin’s Design Evolves
Yasin’s second prototype has different features compared to the first prototype unveiled in October 2019. The new Yasin reportedly has more advanced electronics, avionics, ejection seats, engines, air-to-air radar, and landing gear than the first prototype. The differences between the first and second prototypes of the Yasin jet trainer are not limited to avionic systems only. In addition, certain optimizations have been made to the aircraft’s design.
According to open sources, the final version of the Yasin jet trainer measures 12.25 meters in length, 10.4 meters in wingspan, and 4 meters in height. Yasin weighs 5.5 tons and is powered by two Owj turbojets without afterburner. Yasin can reach a top speed of 1,000 kph. The range of the aircraft, which can stay in the air for 90 minutes with internal fuel, is 1,200 km. Furthermore, the runway length required for landing the aircraft, which has a maximum service ceiling of 36,000 feet (11,000 meters), is sufficient to be 700 meters.
Once operational, the Yasin will replace the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force’s (IRIAF) Northrop F-5B Freedom Fighters and Chengdu FT-7N Air Guard. Aside from the Yasin jet trainer, Iran also recently received two Yak-130 aircraft from Russia. Iranian pilots are expected to use Yasin aircraft to learn the basic tactics and techniques of the F-14 Tomcats, F-4E Phantom II, F-5 aircraft, Yak-130s, and Su-35 fighters that they expect to receive from Russia.