Iran To Negotiate Sukhoi Aircraft Acquisition With Russia

Iran’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) is considering to negotiate with Russia over acquisition of Sukhoi S-300 and Bavar-373 air defense systems.

"After Russia completes deliveries of S-300 long range air defense systems( ADS) and the Iranian Bavar-373 ADS is phased into service, we will not be acquiring additional batches of air defense weaponry."Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan was quoted as saying in an interview to an Iranian TV channel by TASS Defense Tuesday. Hence, Iran does not have plan to buy new long range ADSs ( except S-300 and Bavar-373), he added.

At the same time, we should support the national Air Force. The Iranian MoD is planning to conduct negotiations with Russia over the acquisition of Sukhoi combat aircraft," Dehghan added.

The trials of the Bavar-373 long-range ADS developed by the indigenous defense industry would be conducted at an early date.

"In accordance with the request issued by the Iran`s President, Hassan Rouhani, the intercept of a simulated ballistic missile will be the first test." Dehghan added.

If the system passes it successfully, the industry will launch the massive production of the Bavar-373 system. The ADS is planned to be brought into service before the year-end," the defense minister added.

According to the Military Balance 2016 report issued by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the Iranian Air Force’s air defense units operate 250 FM-80 (a licensed Chinese copy of the Crotale SAM system), 30 Rapier, 15 Tigercat, over 150 MIM-23B I-Hawk, 45 S-75 Dvina, 10 S-200 Angara (SA-5 Gammon), and 29 9K331 Tor-M1 (SA-15 Gauntlet) surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. Further the country also operates a number of FIM-92 Stinger A and 9K32 Strela-2 (SA-7 Grail) man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS).

Tehran is continuing to receive the S-300PMU2 (SA-20 Gargoyle) long-range air defense systems being supplied by Russia. 

Iran has also discussed with Russia, the production licensing of the Russian T-90 tank inside Iran. However, Iranian government's focus is on acquiring the capability and technology to produce the systems in-country rather than depending on Russia for weapons.