The Iranian Navy has launched two indigenous supersonic fighter jets named Saeqeh and two gunships named Tiztak in order to enhance their naval defence capabilities.

Iranian Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the single-seat fighter jet Saeqeh, which means thunderbolt, has been designed and built by experts of Iran’s Defence Ministry, in cooperation with the Iranian Army.

The first prototype of the fighter jet is similar to the US Navy’s F-18 fighter jet, but it has better manoeuvrability thanks to different lines on the tail and the body of the aircraft.

The first generation of the Iranian-built Saeqeh fighter jets underwent test flights in September 2007.