Owj Industrial Complex
The Owj (Zenith) Industrial Complex at Mehrabad [or at Dowshan Tappeh AB] is overseen by the Iranian Air Force. The Owj Industrial Complex was established 1987 to design and manufacture all kinds of aircraft including hunters, fighters, trainers, and support logistics craft as well as the needed spare parts. It has engaged in the production of the two-person Tazarv trainer aircraft, planned and built to meet the needs of both basic and advanced fighter pilot training. It is also said to be involved in the production of the Azarakhsh fighter aircraft and Tandar trainer aircraft. It is reported to have reconstructed 17 damaged aircraft and supplies spare parts to the Iranian Air Force.
The benchmark chosen was Northrop F-5, with which the IRIAF had considerable experience. The Azarakhsh (lightning) fighter is a nearly exact copy of the F-5E Tiger II. Externally it is distinguishable by a 17cm extension of the nose, accommodating a new radar incorporating Iranian parts and technology and reportedly based on a Russian design. It is clearly a proof-of-concept and reverse-engineering demonstrator rather than an operational aircraft, though at one time the IRIAF claimed an inventory of 30 to 35 Azarakhsh aircraft.
According to the Air Force's Gen. Safari, head of the OIC, this establishment had so far produced the Azarakhsh fighter-bomber aircraft, a reverse-engineered version of the F-5E. The second prototype of the Azarakhsh was reported to have flown in mid-February 2001 [contradicting other reports], together with the first prototype of another Iranian jet trainer design called the Tondar. Other OIC accomplishments include the rebuilding of 17 American-built fighter aircraft heavily damaged during the war with Iraq.
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