Iran's domestically built heavy fighter jet will begin taxi trials this year and take to the skies next year, says Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi, confirmed today by parliament as Iran's new defense minister.

The aircraft was developed by the Defense Ministry's aviation industry specialists.

**Who is Akhlaghi?**

Confirmed today with 237 votes in favor, 15 against, filling the post left vacant since Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh was assassinated in the US-Israeli strikes of February 28, which also killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

A 42-year veteran of the Defense Ministry with no military rank, a technocrat rather than a commander

Head of the Defense Industries Organization, Iran's state weapons manufacturer, since 2013, and former head of the Aerospace Industries Organization, the backbone of Iran's missile program

Sanctioned by the US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, Switzerland and Japan for his work building Iran's missile capabilities

Pledged to rebuild Iran's military-industrial base after the war, fast-track new defense technologies and bring private companies into arms production

 [@DDGeopolitics](https://t.me/DDGeopolitics)