Iran Confirms Purchase of Russian Su-35 Jets, Strengthening Defense Ties

Iran and Russia share a strong defense relationship built on mutual interests, including arms deals, military training, and technology sharing.

Both nations aim to counter Western influence and have collaborated in areas such as drones, missile systems, and regional security, particularly in Syria. While their defense ties are growing, both countries focus on advancing their own strategic goals.

Recently, this partnership has taken a significant step forward, with Iran officially confirming the purchase of Russian-made Sukhoi-35 fighter jets. A senior Revolutionary Guards Commander, Ali Shadmani, announced the acquisition on Monday, marking the first time an Iranian official has confirmed the deal.

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A Long-Awaited Deal

Iran’s intention to acquire advanced Russian fighter jets dates back to 2007, starting with negotiations for Su-30MKs. However, United Nations sanctions and Russian hesitations prevented the deal from moving forward. Renewed discussions in 2015 for Su-30SM jets, including Iran’s request for domestic production rights, also proved unsuccessful.

After years of speculation, Iran announced in 2022 its plan to purchase Sukhoi-35 jets, finalizing arrangements later that year. While Shadmani did not specify how many jets were purchased or whether they have been delivered, this announcement solidifies Tehran’s intent to modernize its air force.

Why the Sukhoi-35?

The Sukhoi-35 (Su-35) is a multi-role, highly maneuverable fighter jet designed for air superiority missions. Known for its advanced avionics, powerful engines, and long-range capabilities, the Su-35 represents a significant upgrade for Iran’s aging air fleet. Key features include:

• Supermaneuverability: Equipped with thrust-vectoring engines, the Su-35 can perform advanced aerial maneuvers, making it highly agile in dogfights.
• Advanced Radar System: Its Irbis-E radar can track multiple targets simultaneously over long distances, enhancing its situational awareness.
• Long Combat Range: The Su-35 has an extended range of over 3,500 kilometers without refueling, enabling Iran to project air power farther than before.
• Modern Weapons Systems: It can carry a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, making it versatile in both offensive and defensive operations.

These features make the Sukhoi-35 a formidable addition to Iran’s combat air fleet, significantly boosting its operational capabilities in the region.

Strengthening Iran’s Military

Ali Shadmani highlighted the importance of modernizing Iran’s military forces, stating, “The production of military equipment has accelerated, and outdated systems are being retired and replaced with modern ones.” He also emphasized that Iran makes military purchases whenever necessary to strengthen its air, ground, and naval forces.

In addition to the Sukhoi-35, Iran has expressed interest in acquiring other advanced Russian military technologies, including the S-400 mobile surface-to-air missile system.

Growing Cooperation Amid Western Concerns

Iran and Russia’s growing military cooperation has raised concerns among Western nations, especially given their shared stance against Western influence. The addition of advanced fighter jets like the Sukhoi-35 underscores the depth of this partnership and Tehran’s determination to bolster its defense capabilities.