IAR 95

The IAR‑95 Tigra was a Romanian fighter‑trainer aircraft developed in the early 1990s by Industria Aeronautică Română (IAR). Designed to replace aging MiG‑21s and to provide a modern platform for pilot conversion, the project began in 1989 under a joint effort of the Romanian Air Force and the national aerospace industry. The prototype, first flown on 20 October 1995, featured a low‑wing monocoque fuselage, retractable tricycle landing gear and a bubble canopy that offered excellent visibility. Power was supplied by a single General Electric F404‑type turbofan, delivering around 16 kN of thrust, and the airframe accommodated up to four under‑wing hardpoints for training weapons and light ordnance. Avionics included a digital glass cockpit, Hands‑On‑Throttle‑And‑Stick (HOTAS) controls and NATO‑compatible communication suites, reflecting Romania’s aspiration to integrate with Western standards. Although only two prototypes were completed before the program was cancelled in 1999 due to budget constraints and shifting defense priorities, the IAR‑95 demonstrated the capability of the Romanian aerospace sector to design a contemporary combat‑training aircraft. Its legacy lives on in subsequent projects such as the IAR‑99 and in the continued modernization of Romania’s air force.