Subordinate to: Defense Industries Organization (DIO)
Other Names: Iranian Aircraft Industries (formerly known as the Iranian Helicopter Industries). Also referred to as Hesa.
Location: HASA is believed to be headquartered in Shahin Shar near Isfahan.
Primary Function: Production of missiles, military aircraft, passenger aircraft, and spare parts.
Description and Activities:
HASA (sometimes referred to as Hesa) is the Persian acronym for Iranian Aircraft Industries (Hava Peyma Sazi-e Iran). In 1974-75, Iran established the Iranian Helicopter Industries, which later changed its name to HASA. The major activities of the facility are the production of unmanned aerial vehicles, military aircraft, passenger aircraft, and spare parts.
Construction began on the facility in 1975-76. Initially, it was designed to build the American Bell Textron helicopters. The Islamic Revolution in 1979 halted construction, with only 11% of the facility completed. Building resumed in 1983-84. In 1986-87, HASA started designing and constructing the Al-Ababil missile. In 1999, HASA was also believed to be involved in upgrading the Al-Ababil 2 missile. HASA has also participated in Iran's passenger aircraft industry, producing the Iran-140 airplane, which was unveiled in 2001. This airplane was developed as part of an agreement between Iran and the Ukrainian Antonov Design Firm. As part of the agreement, Iran must export the manufactured parts of the Iran-140 as well as spare parts to Ukraine.
Key Sources: "Iran Tests Unmanned Air Vehicle," Flight International, 28 April-4 May 1999, p.16; Mohammad Vali Sohrabi, "Iran Airplane-140: From Designing in the Imagination to Flying in the Blue Skies," Tehran Ettella'at-e Elmi 21 March 2001; FBIS Document IAP20010804000058, 21 March 2001.
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Updated May 2004 |
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