Iran Confirms Decision to Buy Su-35 Fighters from Russia

Iran has confirmed its decision to buy Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets from Russia which, when they arrive in Tehran will be first new fighter aircraft in the country in over 2 decades.

In an oblique confirmation, a statement from Iran’s mission to the United Nations was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency, “Moscow is ready to deliver the fighter jets to Iran."

"Russia announced it was ready to sell them" after the expiry in October 2020 of restrictions on Iran purchasing conventional weapons under UN Resolution 2231, said the statement carried by the official IRNA news agency.

The Sukhoi sale could have been accelerated by Iran’s supply of loitering munitions and missiles to Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Some new Su-35s are anticipated to be housed at Tactical Air Base 8 of the Iran Air Force. The base is strategically located in the central part of Iran, making it well-positioned to support military operations throughout the country and beyond.

Iran's Air Force mainly uses Cold War-era aircraft.

Which consists of US-made F-4, F-5, and F-14 jets inherited from the pre-revolutionary era.

In the 1980s and 90s, China and Russia supplied J-7s and MiG-29s respectively. International sanctions have prevented Iran from upgrading its aircraft, leaving most of them over 40 years old.