View source for HESA Saeqeh

{{Short description|Iranian fighter aircraft}}
{{About||the shoulder-launched anti-tank rocket|Saegheh (rocket)|the surface-to-surface missile system|Saegheh|the UAV|Saegheh (UAV)}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = Saeqeh
| image = File:A HESA Saeqeh of IRIAF.jpg
| caption = 
| type = [[Light fighter]]
| manufacturer = [[Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company]] (HESA)
| designer = 
| produced = 
| first_flight = July 2004
| introduction = 22 September 2007
| retired = 
| primary_user = [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force]]
| more_users = 
| number_built = 12{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}}
| status = Production completed
| developed_from = [[Northrop F-5]]<br/>[[HESA Azarakhsh]]
| developed_into = [[HESA Kowsar]]
}}

The '''HESA Saeqeh''' ({{langx|fa|صاعقه}} ''Sâ'eğe'', "Thunderbolt"), alternatively spelled '''Sa'eqeh'''; '''Saegheh''', or '''Saeqeh-80''',<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/saeqeh.htm Saeqeh-80 / Owj] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929214813/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/saeqeh.htm |date=2006-09-29 }} globalsecurity.org</ref> is an Iranian-built single-seat jet fighter, derived from the American [[Northrop F-5]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/azarakhsh.htm|title=Azarakhsh|author=John Pike|access-date=8 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922135526/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/azarakhsh.htm|archive-date=22 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080214045504/http://www1.irna.com/en/news/view/menu-234/0709230363164110.htm Iran-Defense-Miqani]. Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). "Commander says air defense equipment provided domestically"</ref> A joint product of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force and the Iranian Ministry of Defence, it is the second generation of the Iranian [[HESA Azarakhsh|Azarakhsh fighter]].<ref>[http://tehrantimes.com/politics/97870-iranian-air-force-takes-delivery-of-3-saeqeh-fighters "Iranian Air Force takes delivery of 3 Saeqeh fighters."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518161338/http://www.tehrantimes.com/politics/97870-iranian-air-force-takes-delivery-of-3-saeqeh-fighters |date=2012-05-18 }} ''Tehran Times'', 14 May 2012.</ref> Saeqeh aircraft were tested successfully in Iran 20 September 2007.

==Development==
The first prototype of the jet was shown on state television making a test flight in July 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bttQYIrPzJ0 |title=Saeqeh Fighter |publisher=YouTube |date=2006-09-30 |access-date=2013-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419144212/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bttQYIrPzJ0 |archive-date=2013-04-19 |url-status=live }}</ref>  In that exercise, which began on August 19, 2006, the new fighter carried out actions described as "a mission to bomb virtual enemy targets"<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-236/0609060818144001.htm |publisher=[[Islamic Republic News Agency]] |title=Saeqeh Fighter Plane Test-Flown In 'Blow of Zolfaqar' Wargames |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312093409/http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-236/0609060818144001.htm |archive-date=2007-03-12 }}</ref> and "a mock bombing mission".<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.payvand.com/news/06/sep/1068.html |publisher=Payvands.com |title=Iran Upgrades Aging US-Made Jet |access-date=2006-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110201930/http://www.payvand.com/news/06/sep/1068.html |archive-date=2007-01-10 |url-status=live }}</ref>  Two prototypes, which appeared to differ from the one that had been shown previously, conducted a fly-past at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport on 20 September 2007.<ref name="farsnews1">{{citation |url=http://english.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=8607010681 |publisher=[[Fars News Agency]] |title=President Inspects Home-Made Fighter Jets |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110222948/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8607010681 |archive-date=2007-11-10 }}</ref> Three prototypes took part in a military parade on 22 September 2007.<ref name="farsnews1"/>

Iran has announced that it will test fly the other variants of the Saeqeh in the near future which will differ from the previous aircraft due to major changes in its weapon system, aerodynamics and operational range.<ref name="farsnews2">{{citation |url=http://english.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=8606300362 |publisher=farsnews.ir|title=Iran to Display 3rd Generation of Home-Made Fighter Jet |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110222942/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8606300362 |archive-date=2007-11-10 }}</ref>

In September 2010, Iran displayed the first squadron of Saeqeh fighter jets produced during an air show staged during the military parades at the beginning of the [[Iranian Sacred Defence Week]] according to the [[FARS News Agency]].<ref name='FARS 2011-09-10'>{{cite news |title= First Squadron of Iran-Made Saeqeh Fighters Joins Operations |date= 2011-09-10 |url= http://english.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=9006180081 |work= FARS News Agency |access-date= 2011-09-15 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111003200510/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9006180081 |archive-date= 2011-10-03 }}</ref>  In May 2012 Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi stated that three new-generation Saeqeh fighters had been manufactured and delivered to the Air Force.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mehrnews.com/en/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=1602536 |title=Iran, world, political, sport, economic news and headlines |publisher=MehrNews.com |access-date=2013-02-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128194941/http://www.mehrnews.com/en/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=1602536 |archive-date=2013-01-28 }}</ref>

On 26 August 2012, deputy [[Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (Iran)|Defence Minister]] [[Mohammad Eslami]] announced that an upgraded version of the Saeqeh would be introduced in the Iranian Air Force by the end of 2013.{{#tag:ref|The [[Solar Hijri]] year 1391 on the Iranian calendar|group=N}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=9106040092|title=Iran to Unveil New Generation of Home-Made Fighter Jets Soon|agency=[[Fars News]]|date=26 August 2012|access-date=26 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://swap.stanford.edu/20120913111724/http%3A//english.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn%3D9106040092|archive-date=13 September 2012}}</ref>

In total five of the Saeqeh-1 single seat variant and one Saeqeh-2 twin seat variant were manufactured before production ended, and production shifted to the [[HESA Kowsar]] instead.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=ویژگیهای مهم اولین جنگنده کاملا ایرانی +عکس |url=https://jamejamonline.ir/fa/news/1279475 |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=jamejamonline.ir |language=fa}}</ref>

==Design==
Little information on the specifications of the Saeqeh has been released. The Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, Brigadier-General Ahmad Mighani, said that the Saeqeh is up-to-date in terms of aerodynamic balance and in possessing missile and radar systems.<ref name="irna1">[http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-203/0709207857164929.htm Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002082919/http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-203/0709207857164929.htm |date=2007-10-02 }} Air Force has planned to manufacture cutting edge jet fighters (Replays to fix test-flight)</ref> The Managing Director of the Aviation Organization of the Ministry of Defense and Logistics of the Armed Forces, Majid Hedayat, described the Saeqeh as a logistic and combat plane with high manoeuvring capability and an ability to bomb close targets.<ref name="irna1"/>  The airframe resembles a [[Northrop F-5]] with two vertical stabilizers instead of one.
 
In 2008, Iran announced the aircraft has a range of {{convert|3000|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=8706150728 |title=Fars News Agency :: Iran to Introduce Indigenous Fighter Jets in 2009 |publisher=English.farsnews.ir |date=2008-09-05 |access-date=2013-02-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210165147/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8706150728 |archive-date=2012-02-10 }}</ref> It has a Phazotron-NIIR N019 radar known as "Baaz" with a range of 80&nbsp;km (50 miles) that can track 10 targets and engage two targets simultaneously.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://airplane.ir/?page_id=702|title = تولید انبوه هواپیمای جنگنده ی صاعقه ساخت نیروی هوایی ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران – هواپیما}}</ref>

The visual differences between the Saeqeh and the original Northrop F-5E remain limited to two vertical tail stabilizers instead of one, additional wing strakes and altered jet intakes. Fuselage, landing gear, engines, weaponry and cockpit instruments appear identical to the F-5E, which indicates that the Saequeh is not a new-built jet fighter, but a modification of existing Northrop F-5s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/why-irans-fighter-jet-ripoff-just-fake-news-19487 |title=The Buzz :: Why Iran's Fighter-Jet Ripoff Is Just Fake News |publisher=nationalinterest.org |date=2017-02-17 |access-date=2018-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522113434/http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/why-irans-fighter-jet-ripoff-just-fake-news-19487 |archive-date=2018-05-22 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=April 2021}}

[[File:Iranian Air Force HESA Saegeh.jpg|thumb|Iranian Air Force HESA Saeqeh]]

===Saeqeh-2===
A new version was introduced in 2015 with 2 seats, more advanced weapon systems, electronics and [[avionics]]. This model can also be used for training purposes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.farsnews.ir/newstext.aspx?nn=13931120000939|title=Farsnews|work=farsnews.ir|access-date=22 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215125937/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13931120000939|archive-date=15 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> According to one Iranian military source: {{blockquote|"… [Iran] will [soon] manufacture an aircraft on Saeqeh platform which will be equipped with Fourth generation (and even higher) avionics …," <br/>- ''Commander of Air Force's Owj Complex Colonel Houshang Monfaredzadeh, 2015''}}

The IRIAF is believed to have 17 Northrop F-5F aircraft remaining in its inventory, which may be suitable for conversion to the Saeqeh-2 configuration.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630151321/https://www.janes.com/article/48813/iran-reveals-new-fighter-type|archive-date=2015-06-30|author=Gareth Jennings|url=http://www.janes.com/article/48813/iran-reveals-new-fighter-type|title=Iran reveals 'new' fighter type|work=janes.com|access-date=22 February 2015}}</ref>

==Operators==
;{{IRN}}
* [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force]]

==Specifications (Saeqeh)==
[[File:HESA Saeqeh 3-view.svg|right|300px]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=
|prime units?=met
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|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=Upgraded Iranian-built [[General Electric J85]]
|eng1 type=afterburning turbojet engines (with technology from the [[Pratt & Whitney TF30]])<ref>{{Cite web|title=HESA Saeqeh Saeqeh-80 Azarakhsh-2 fighter aircraft|url=https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/world-air-force-military-equipment-aircraft/middle-east-countries-air-force-aircrafts-military-equipment/iran-iranian-air-force-------military-aircraft-fighter-aviation-equipment-intelligence-information-description-technical-data-sheet-identification-pictures-photos-video-defence-industry-military-technology-islamic-republic/iranian-air-force-fighter-aircraft/389-saeqeh-azarakhsh-2-saeqeh-80-thunderbolt-fighter-aircraft-hesa-technical-data-sheet-specifications-intelligence-description-information-identification-pictures-photos-images-video-iran-iranian-air-force-defence-aviation-industry-military-technology.html|access-date=2020-06-15|website=www.airrecognition.com}}</ref>
|eng1 kn=
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==See also==
{{Aircontent
|related=
* [[Northrop F-5]]
* [[HESA Azarakhsh]]
* [[HESA Kowsar]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Northrop F-20 Tigershark]]
|lists =
* [[List of aircraft of the Iranian Air Force]]
}}

==References==
;Notes
{{Reflist|group=N}}

;Citations
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|HESA Saegheh}}
* [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3300397,00.html "New Iranian-made warplane revealed"]
* {{YouTube|bttQYIrPzJ0| Saeqeh démonstration}}
* [http://www.aja.ir/portal/Home/ShowPage.aspx?Object=Paper&CategoryID=d88026a9-1e37-4e13-9683-fe6442bcc0a6&WebPartID=86669e9f-ac5a-4c87-bdbf-a9ed8a802e94&ID=db143dd0-fe98-4375-a3a1-526d539df081 "Saeqeh Specifications Persian"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203070550/http://www.aja.ir/portal/Home/ShowPage.aspx?Object=Paper&CategoryID=d88026a9-1e37-4e13-9683-fe6442bcc0a6&WebPartID=86669e9f-ac5a-4c87-bdbf-a9ed8a802e94&ID=db143dd0-fe98-4375-a3a1-526d539df081 |date=2014-02-03 }}
* [http://www.janes.com/article/48813/iran-reveals-new-fighter-type IHS Jane´s reports on 2-seater Saeqeh]

{{F-5 family}}
{{Iranian Aircraft}}
{{Weapons of Iran}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hesa Saeqeh}}
[[Category:HESA aircraft|Saeqeh]]
[[Category:2000s Iranian fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Twinjets]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 2004]]
[[Category:Twin-tail aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]