Shahed 123

The Shahed 123 is a light utility aircraft developed by Iran’s Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center (SAIRC) in the early 2020s. Designed to replace aging domestic trainers and liaison planes, its development began in 2018 when SAIRC launched a program to create a versatile, low‑cost platform capable of short‑take‑off and short‑landing (STOL) operations from rugged airfields. The first prototype flew on 12 March 2021 and entered limited service with the Iranian Army Aviation in 2023, later being offered to civil operators for cargo, medical evacuation and pilot training.

Key features include a high‑wing monoplane layout, all‑composite airframe, and a 300‑horsepower turboprop engine supplied by a domestic manufacturer. The aircraft can carry up to eight passengers or 1 200 kg of payload, and its digital glass cockpit incorporates GPS‑based navigation, autopilot and mission‑planning software. Its STOL capability, corrosion‑resistant materials, and low operating cost make it suitable for remote regions and disaster‑relief missions.

The Shahed 123 is significant because it marks Iran’s first indigenously designed aircraft that meets modern Western safety standards while remaining entirely domestically produced. It showcases the growing technical self‑sufficiency of the nation’s aviation sector and expands options for both military and civilian users in the region.