Defense industry leaders in Iran presented the home-built Qaher F-313 stealth fighter jet to military and government officials during a recent unveiling ceremony, according to UPI.
The jet, developed by the Iranian Helicopter Support and Renewal Company, did not fly during the ceremony, but did taxi back and forth on the runway.
Expert observers have dismissed the stealth fighter as a hoax due to aesthetic irregularities. Previously unveiled in 2013, the Qaher F-313 has not made an appearance since. During the 2013 ceremony, the plane was just unveiled and did not move under its own power at any point. The original version was also deemed too small to fit a human pilot in the cockpit, with an engine section that could potentially melt that plane's back end, according to War is Boring.
While the new upgrade appears more realistic, the engine intake and wings are smaller than normal and the wings feature a strange, downward bend at the wingtips. Additionally, military analyst Galen Wright noted that the plane was marked with a tire pressure well-below the standard for fighter jets.
Based on U.S. Department of Defense tire pressure stats for F-4 and F-15 fighters, the jet's tires at 50 pounds per square inch are far too low for a plane of that size. The plane, of comparable size to the F-4, would have to be no more than one-fifth its weight per unit of volume, according to Vice’s Motherboard.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke at the event, praising the plane while hinting criticism at Western countries that have worked to prevent Iran’s militarization.
"We don't ask for permission from others to reinforce our armed forces, don't ask for permission to manufacture our missiles, our jets," Rouhani said.
Iran also unveiled its latest domestically produced jet trainer — the Kowsar — at the ceremony, in addition to a tactical UAV, an anti-ship cruise missile and an air-to-air missile.
