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National Iranian Drilling Company

President Khatami receives Ukrainian Foreign Minister to discuss greater cooperation

It was in early 1996 that after months of feasibility studies, a contract was signed to manufacture the first
passenger aircraft in Iran. A year earlier, all experts and authorities of the ministries of Defense, Road & Transport, and Industries, as well as Civil Aviation Organization had spent several hours evaluating the proposals presented by international aircraft manufacturers based on the present and future demands of civil and military sectors of the country.
After considering hundreds of technical issues and lengthy negotiations with European, Russian, Ukrainian and Chinese bidders, the proposal of IRAN-140 presented by Ukraine was announced as the winner of the international tender. This was in fact a bid for joint production of a high-tech aircraft, paving the way for transfer of technology to Iran.
Selecting IRAN-140 was the result of comprehensive research conducted by Iranian specialists to manufacture an aircraft that could both meet the demands of domestic passenger airlines, particularly in deprived areas, and accept logistic and marine patrol missions after making slight changes to back up outdated C130s of airforce and P3Fs of marine force. Relief missions in flood- and quake-stricken areas require aircraft to land in uneven lands and this was another factor that Iran’s aviation experts took into account. It was with such ambitions that IRAN-140 was selected as the most appropriate and durable aircraft with low fuel consumption and powerful engine.
Finally, after weeks of negotiation to bring all sections of the contract in accordance with Iran’s designated standards, the most profitable contract in the history of aviation was signed between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Ukraine. As the contract was signed, IRAN-140 was no more than a sketch on paper whose model had passed through object-oriented software and airflow tests.

Mohammad Eslami, M.Sc., Managing Director of Iran Aircraft Industries Co. (HESA)

Given its experience in advanced aviation and proper manufacturing facilities in Isfahan, Iran Aircraft Industries Co. (HESA) secured the collective agreement of highest decision-making levels to become the production base of Iran’s first-ever passenger aircraft.
Once the contract was signed in HESA, authorities at the Ministry of Defense spent six months in 1996 making necessary arrangements with the Plan and Budget Organization and Central Bank of Iran. The Ukrainian side was instructed in late 1996 on how to deal with the Iranian banking system. The first advance payment was made to Ukraine in late 1996 which enabled it to perform the sampling stage.
By early 1997, HESA had finalized basic drawings and as training courses began in 1997, the aircraft designs were presented to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Meanwhile, the first aircraft was assembled in Ukraine to launch test flights.
The project took a leap progress in late 1997 and aircraft engineering offices were formed in HESA where trained Iranian engineers phased out the production steps. Meanwhile, drawings of different workshops were completed and HESA commenced organizing facilities and establishments for the national project.
In 1997, designing of IRAN-140 started in HESA and more than 500 engineers and technicians were recruited and trained to conduct the project. The first series of equipment arrived in the company in early 1998.
Concurrent with completion of preparatory stages at HESA, IRAN-140 successfully performed its introductory flight, following which Ukrainian officials announced that partnership of the Islamic Republic of Iran in design and manufacturing operations was the key to success.
HESA started manufacturing of the first set of fixtures and equipment for IRAN-140 in 1998. In the same year, drawings were prepared and published for main wing fixtures, central body fixtures, cockpit, and rear section concurrent with commissioning of assembly shop. Meanwhile, sheet metal and machining workshops, quality control laboratories and other related workshops were prepared.
As President Mohammad Khatami inspected HESA in his 1999 visit to Isfahan, assembly of the first passenger aircraft was launched in the Islamic Republic of Iran. IRAN-140 passed through the assembly line and stood on the wheels of technology. As 250 HESA engineers and technicians completed their training in Ukraine and started working in various departments of the company, assembly of the second IRAN-140 began. Simultaneously, HESA started operations for building aircraft test center, shelter and control towers and installing equipment of the test flight runway.
The project was progressing in the Islamic Republic of Iran while the two manufactured IRAN-140s demonstrated more capabilities in test flights performed in Ukraine.
In early 2000, tests indicated that for greater efficiency and full compliance of the airplane specifications with harsh climatic conditions of Iran, several changes had to be made in different parts of IRAN-140. For this purpose, Iranian and Ukrainian experts took executive measures. It was in the same year that international aviation organizations set new rules for passenger airplanes that had to be applied in under-test aircraft the world over, including IRAN-140. This prompted several revisions in the design of the airplane and hundreds of drawings were successfully revised in Iran and Ukraine. Consequently, the first revised version of IRAN-140 was ready for systemic tests.
Skilled pilots of the Islamic Republic of Iran Airforce and IRGC who had been deployed to Ukraine, passed their training courses and received their Test Pilot certificates with highest scores.

After years of indefatigable efforts exerted by the Iranian defense industry servants, and concurrent with the 20th anniversary of the Sacred Defense (Iran-Iraq War), the first IRAN-140 left the assembly line in a glorious ceremony held in the presence of the Minister of Defense, Minister of Road & Transport and head of Civil Aviation Organization.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Defense Admiral Ali Shamkhani referred to IRAN-140 as the gift presented to the heroic nation of Iran by the country’s defense sector. Also, the Minister of Road & Transport labeled the day of completion of IRAN-140 as a source of pride which marks a milestone in Iran’s aviation history.
All tests performed on IRAN-140 so far indicate perfect compliance with relevant standards. The first design and production experience of Iranian aviators, IRAN-140 passenger airplane is the fruit of expertise and commitment of industrialists at the Ministry of Defense & Armed Forces Logistics in meeting a fundamental need of the country.
Aircraft AN-140 (IRAN-140 Project) serial 90-01 is the first serially produced aircraft at HESA. On February 7, 2001, a maiden flight has taken place in HESA Flight Test Center in Shahinshahr, Isfahan Province. The ceremony was attended by the then Vice President Dr. Hassan Habibi and the Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko.
Concurrent with the upcoming 22nd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution victory, IRAN-140 will soon take off to add another honor to the brilliant record of pioneers of development in Iran.
On the occasion of this hallmark accomplishment, HESA congratulates the Supreme Leader, Distinguished President, dutiful Government, esteemed nation of Iran and particularly the honorable families of martyrs, PoWs and the missings-in-action.