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Agence France-Presse

Iran’s army unveiled its first underground base for fighter jets designed to withstand possible strikes by US bunker-busting bombs, state media reported.
The base – named Oghab 44 (“Eagle” in Persian) – can accommodate “all types of fighter jets and bombers, in addition to drones”, the official news agency IRNA said on Tuesday, releasing images and videos from inside the base.
The exact location of the base was not revealed, but state media said it was “at the depth of hundreds of metres under the mountains”, and capable of withstanding “bombs by strategic US bombers”.
In May last year, Iran’s army revealed an air force base for drones under the Zagros mountain range in the west of the country.

The majority of Iran’s military facilities are kept secret and information about them cannot be independently verified.
The latest unveiling comes the day before Iran marks Air Force Day, part of the build-up to the 44th anniversary on Saturday of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
State media on Tuesday showed Iran’s armed forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri and the army’s commander-in-chief Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi at the new base.
Oghab 44 is “one of numerous tactical underground airbases for the army’s air force built in different areas of the country in recent years”, IRNA reported.

It can prepare fighter jets to “counter possible offensives” such as those practised by the US and Israel in their recent military drill, according to state media.
Iran has mostly Russian MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets that date back to the Soviet era, as well as some Chinese aircraft, including the F-7.
Some American F-4 and F-5 fighter jets dating back to before the revolution are also part of its fleet.
Additional reporting by dpa


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Iran

Iran unveils first underground base for fighter jets

The Iran report did not name the exact location of the base, stating only that it was in the mountains. Photo Iranian Army / Reuters

IRNA said it was one of the country’s most important air force bases: Iranian Army / AFP

Some American F-4 jets dating back to before the revolution are also part of Iran’s fleet. Photo: Iranian Army / AFP

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Eyewitness footage shows what is said to be the moment of an explosion at a military industry factory in Isfahan, Iran. Photo: WANA via Reuters 


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Iran has been at odds with Western powers including Britain over what it calls their interference in its internal matters. Photo: AFP

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A drone is launched from a warship during a military drill in Iran in August. As protests rage at home, Iran’s government is increasingly flexing its military muscle abroad. Photo: Iranian Army via AP

News

World

Middle East

The base is capable of storing and operating fighter jets and drones, Iran says
Built deep underground, it is capable of withstanding ‘bombs by strategic US bombers’


The Iranian military has published pictures of what it says is an underground airbase that can withstand ‘bombs by strategic US bombers’.


Defence

US-Iran tensions

Iran unveils first underground base for fighter jets

The base is capable of storing and operating fighter jets and drones, Iran says Built deep underground, it is capable of withstanding ‘bombs by strategic US bombers’

The base is capable of storing and operating fighter jets and drones, Iran says

Built deep underground, it is capable of withstanding ‘bombs by strategic US bombers’