TEHRAN - Head of Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) Brigadier General Afshin Khajeh Fard said on Thursday that the country's army will establish its indigenous aviation fleet.

He noted that Iran has achieved complete success in manufacturing helicopters and emerging as the possessor of the largest helicopter fleet in West Asia. 

Khajeh Fard highlighted Iran's unique position, being one of the select few nations with a distinct, domestically-produced helicopter fleet. “Despite encountering sanctions, all these helicopters maintain operational status, equipped with a diverse array of components, including transmissions,” he added.

Khajeh Fard emphasized the evolution of these distinctive features into a singular capability over several decades. Stressing the necessity to replace the existing army aviation fleet with domestically developed units, he disclosed the organization's current active involvement in supporting, updating, and modernizing its army, with the ultimate objective of establishing a fully indigenous aviation fleet.

In recent years, Iranian military experts and engineers have made noteworthy breakthroughs in producing a diverse range of indigenous equipment, achieving self-sufficiency for the armed forces. Iranian officials have reaffirmed the nation's steadfast commitment to enhancing military capabilities, including missile power, for defense and deterrence purposes only. 

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has on several occasions called for efforts to boost Iran’s defense capabilities.