Iran Purchases Sukhoi-35 Fighter Jets from Russia
Iran announced the finalization of a contract to purchase Sukhoi-35 fighter jets from Russia.
The Islamic Republic had claimed in recent weeks that it had purchased advanced Sukhoi-35 fighter jets from Russia, which was followed by contradictory statements on the matter. Following these statements, Mehdi Farahi, Deputy Defense Minister of Iran, announced the finalization of a contract for the purchase of several types of military weapons from Russia, including this fighter jet.
Mehdi Farahi said on Tuesday, December 27, in a statement to Tasnim News Agency affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: “The Mi-28 attack helicopter, Sukhoi-35 fighter jet, and Yak-130 training aircraft are expected to enter Iran soon.”
Russian officials have not provided any clarification on this matter so far, and the timeline for the possible entry of these Russian weapons into Iran remains unclear.
The Islamic Republic has long been seeking to purchase the Russian Sukhoi-35 fighter jet and considers it a competitor to the American F-35 fighter jets. Additionally, in December of last year, Israeli media reported that Russia was preparing to supply Sukhoi-35 fighter jets to Iran in the near future.
It is worth noting that the Islamic Republic has strengthened its military cooperation with Russia in recent years, and Russia’s attacks on Ukraine and its need for more weapons, as well as its purchase of combat drones from Iran, have expanded this cooperation. European countries have condemned Iran while imposing sanctions against Iran and Russia, emphasizing the Islamic Republic’s role in the Ukraine war through the sale of combat drones to Russia.
