Iranian Defense Minister To Discuss Su-30 Purchase During Moscow Visit

In the first major defense deal following the lifting of sanctions, Iran is expected to purchase undisclosed number of Su-30 fighter jets from Russia.

Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehgan is likely to sign a contract for the Su-30 purchase during his visit to Moscow later this month, Iranian and Russian media outlets reported today.

Iran needs to "seriously focus on the air force and fighters," Dehgan said adding "We are moving toward a contract. We told them that we need to be involved in the production (of the plane) as well," Hossein was quoted as saying in a statement published in comments published on the Iranian ministry of defense website.

Dehghan however, did not specify how many fighter planes Iran will buy, or give a timeline for the signing of the deal. 

The defense minister will also discuss the delivery of the S-300 air defense system about which it has been in discussion for several years now, an unnamed Iranian Defense Ministry source was quoted as saying by Sputnik Thursday.

“Minister Dehgan is taking a number of the Defense Ministry’s representatives to the Russian capital to meet with their Russian colleagues and other highly-ranked officials,” the source said.’

“The last stages will be discussed of delivering Iran the S-300 complex, the first part of which should arrive before the end of next month, and the second by the end of June. Minister Dehgan will also discuss the delivery of Su-30 airplanes because the Defense Ministry believes the Iranian Air Force needs this type of plane. We’ve moved far in these discussions of purchases and I think that during the upcoming visit a contract will be signed,” the source said.