For the first time in more than two decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) will receive new foreign -made aircraft – 24 Russian Su-35 jets, according to Shahriar Heidari, MP and member country’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission.
The Kremlin or the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) which manufactures the Su-35 jet, has made no comments on reports of the sales which is expected to take effect in March 2023.
Some Su-35s are anticipated to be housed at Tactical Air Base (TAB) 8 of the IRIAF, which is located in the Iranian city of Isfahan in the country's center.
Iran’s last purchase of new fighters was in 1990s, when it received MiG-29 Fulcrum jets.
The lawmaker told local media that Tehran has also placed an order for a series of other military equipment from Russia, including air defense systems, missile systems and helicopters, most of which will be received soon.