Iran has revealed an underground air force base called ‘Eagle 44’ – which is big enough to house fighter jets.
In May 2022, Iran had already shown images of a drone base located in the Zagros mountains in the west of the country for the first time.
The Iranian army on Tuesday (February 7th) unveiled its first underground base hosting fighter jets, which is presented as being able to withstand possible American bombardments, according to official media.
The Air Force’s Aigle-44 base “has the capacity to receive all types of fighter and bomber aircraft, as well as drones”, said the official Irna agency which, like other media, released photos and video footage.
A base located “in the heart of the mountains” In May 2022, Iran had already shown images of a drone base located in the Zagros mountains in the west of the country for the first time.
No indication was given on the location of the new installation, located “several hundred meters deep in the heart of the mountains in order to be able to withstand the bombs of the strategic bombers of the United States”, specified state television.
These images were unveiled on the eve of “Air Force Day”, as part of the ceremonies for the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in February 1979.
They show the Chief of Staff of the armies, General Mohammad Bagheri, and army commander Abdolrahim Moussavi, visiting the base, from where fighter planes come and go.
Read alsoIsrael tries to mobilize its allies against a nuclear agreement with Iran “Aigle-44 is one of the many underground Air Force tactical airbases built in different parts of the country in recent years,” the IRNA agency said.
The Iranian air force is mainly equipped with Russian Mig and Sukhoi fighter planes dating from the Soviet era, a few Chinese aircraft, and American F4 and F5 from before the Islamic revolution of 1979. In recent years , the country manufactured Azarakhsh fighter jets, a version of the F-5.
Iran also began developing drone programs in the 1980s during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988).
In early February, a military site of the Ministry of Defense in Isfahan (center) was targeted by quadcopter drones, which caused no casualties, only “minor damage” according to the ministry.
The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations then accused Israel of being ” responsible” for this attack, which follows a series of sabotages and assassinations attributed to this country.
The two countries have been waging a latent war for years, Israel accusing Iran – which denies it – of wanting to acquire the atomic bomb.
