HESA Kowsar / Yasin

Iran's indigenous fighter and advanced jet trainer programme, developed through reverse-engineering of the American F-5 Tiger II with significant indigenous modifications and modern avionics. The Kowsar is a single-seat lightweight fighter featuring modern multi-function displays, head-up display, hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls, radar warning receiver, electronic warfare suite, and reportedly an indigenous radar (though capabilities remain unclear). Armed with a 20mm cannon and hardpoints for air-to-air missiles (reverse-engineered Sidewinders), precision-guided bombs, and rockets. Powered by two J85 turbojet engines (Iranian production of the General Electric J85). The Yasin is a tandem-seat advanced jet trainer sharing the basic airframe but optimized for pilot training with dual controls. Both aircraft represent Iran's attempt to maintain a domestic fighter production capability despite international sanctions preventing foreign procurement. While not comparable to modern 4th-generation fighters, the Kowsar provides basic air defence capability and pilot training. Production numbers remain limited with small-scale deliveries to the IRIAF.