The HESA Saeqeh (Persian: ?????, "thunderbolt"), alternatively spelt Sa'eqeh; Saegheh, or Saeqeh-80,[1] is an Iranian built single-seat jet fighter, derived from the American Northrop F-5.[2][3] A joint product of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force and the Iranian Ministry of Defence, it is the second generation of the Iranian Azarakhsh fighter.[4] Saeqeh aircraft were tested successfully in Iran 20 September 2007.

The first prototype of the jet was shown on state television making a test flight in July 2004.[5] In that exercise, which began on August 19, 2006, the new fighter carried out actions described as "a mission to bomb virtual enemy targets"[6] and "a mock bombing mission".[7] Two prototypes, which appeared to differ from the one that had been shown previously, conducted a fly-past at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport on 20 September 2007.[8] Three prototypes took part in a military parade on 22 September 2007.[8]

Iran has announced that it will test fly the other variants of the Saeqeh in the near future which will differ from the previous aircraft due to major changes in its weapon system, aerodynamics and operational range.[9]

In September 2010, Iran displayed the first squadron of Saeqeh fighter jets produced during an air show staged during the military parades at the beginning of the Iranian Sacred Defence Week according to the FARS News Agency.[10] In May 2012 Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi stated that three new-generation Saeqeh fighters had been manufactured and delivered to the Air Force.[11]

On 26 August 2012, deputy Defence Minister Mohammad Eslami announced that an upgraded version of the Saeqeh would be introduced in the Iranian Air Force by the end of 2013.[N 1][12]