Iran buys Su-35 fighter jets from Russia
Iran announced the finalization of the contract to purchase the Su-35 fighter jet from Russia.
In recent weeks, the Islamic Republic had claimed to have purchased the advanced Su-35 fighter jet from Russia, but then contradictory statements were made about this. Following the aforementioned statements, Mehdi Farahi, Iran's deputy defense minister, announced that a contract to purchase several types of military weapons from Russia, including this fighter jet, had been finalized.
On Tuesday, December 27, Mehdi Farahi told the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency: "The Mi-28 attack helicopter, the Sukhoi-35 fighter jet, and the Yak-130 training aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Iran soon."
Russian officials have not yet provided any explanation in this regard, and it is not clear when these Russian weapons will likely arrive in Iran.
The Islamic Republic has long been considering purchasing the Russian Su-35 fighter jet, considering it a competitor to the American F-35. Also, in January of last year, Israeli media reported that Russia was preparing to supply Su-35 fighter jets to Iran in the near future.
It should be noted 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 and the purchase of combat drones from Iran have expanded this cooperation. European countries have also emphasized the Islamic Republic's role in the Ukraine war through the sale of combat drones to Russia, condemned Iran, and imposed sanctions on Iran and Russia.
