The HESA Kowsar (Persian: کوثر, also spelt Kosar)[1] is an Iranian fighter jet based on the American Northrop F-5.

[6] It also uses digital data networks, a glass cockpit, heads-up display (HUD), ballistic computers and smart mobile mapping systems.

[citation needed] On November 3, 2018, there was a ceremony that inaugurated the launch of the Kowsar assembly line at the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Company (HESA) with at least seven being made.

Kowsar has an Italian Grifo radar (a Chinese model or its domestic production has been used) with a range of 93 km (57 miles) that can engage two targets simultaneously.

"[15] According to Douglas Barrie, military aerospace senior fellow at the IISS, the Iranians have possibly made upgrades and changes to the Kowsar while keeping the basic F-5 jet frame.