Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Alex Beltyukov
As Tehran and Moscow continue military cooperation, Iran has acquired advanced Sukhoi-35 fighter jets from Russia to bolster its military capabilities, according to Iran's state-affiliated Student News Network. The first SU -35 fighter aircraft was delivered to Iran in November.
Iran has also expressed interest in acquiring other advanced military technology from Russia, such as the S-400, a mobile surface-to-air missile system.
A report in Iran International quoted Ali Shadmani, the deputy coordinator of IRGC's Khatam-ol-Anbia Central Headquarters, as saying: "Whenever necessary, we make military purchases to strengthen our air, land, and naval forces. […] The production of military equipment has also accelerated."
Iran International is operated from London by the opposition to the regime in Teheran. Shadmani did not specify whether the jets have already been delivered to Iran.
In November 2023, Iran's state media said Tehran had finalized arrangements to buy Russian fighter jets. The negotiations for advanced Russian fighter jets date back to 2007 when Iran explored acquiring Su-30MKs. However, United Nations sanctions and Russian hesitation halted the potential deal. Renewed discussions in 2015 for Su-30SM jets, including a request for domestic production rights, were also unsuccessful.
According to German aviation industry magazine Flug Revue, the first two Sukhoi Su-35SE fighter jets were officially handed over to the Iranian air force on November 18, during a private ceremony at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant (KnAAPO). The two aircraft were transported disassembled on an Antonov An-124-100 cargo plane to Mehrabad Airport in Tehran. After arrival, they were moved to the 3rd Tactical Air Force Base near Hamadan for assembly.
Initially, the order was for 25 Su-35SE aircraft to replace the IRIAF’s aging US-made Grumman F-14A Tomcats stationed in Isfahan, but it was later expanded to 50 units to also replace F-4E Phantom II aircraft based in Hamadan.
Faced with a technologically outdated air force comprised of a few dozen strike aircraft, some dating back to the pre-1979 revolution era, Iran has prioritized the development of drones and missiles. Iran has supplied hundreds of drones to Russia that have been used to target Ukraine's military and civilian infrastructure, according to the United States. Moscow denies that its forces use Iranian-built drones in Ukraine, although many have been shot down and recovered there.
In November 2023, satellite imagery showed the construction of a plant in Russia to mass produce Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones, according to the Institute for Science and International Security. The Yelabuga drone factory opened in July 2023.
In October, Israeli air strikes knocked out Iran's last three Russian-provided S-300 air defense missile systems. The surface-to-air S-300s were the last in the Islamic Republic's arsenal after one was destroyed in an attack in April also carried out by Israel. Iran had acquired the four S-300 battalions from Russia in 2016.
Israeli company Smartshooter has unveiled its latest counter-UAS (C-UAS) solution: Smash Dome. The lightweight, portable, and adaptable solution supports both…
The Israeli ministry of defence is evacuating a new shopping list submitted by Morocco. Israeli defence sources said that the…
Sentrycs has introduced HORIZON, an AI-driven counter-drone system designed to detect a wide range of DIY drones, including those that…
Terma has signed a contract with Swiss aerospace and telecommunications company SWISSto12 to supply key equipment for the HummingSat project,…
The first of the two Airbus-built new generation SpainSat satellites, SpainSat NG-I, has been successfully launched on a Falcon 9…
Embraer has begun accepting applications for its Social Tech Careers programme, a free technology training initiative designed for women and…
A renaming ceremony was held at Fincantieri’s Muggiano shipyard on Wednesday (Jan. 29) for two Multipurpose Combat Ships / Pattugliatore…
Switzerland-based JEKTA, the manufacturer of the zero-emissions PHA-ZE 100 amphibious aircraft, has formed two new strategic partnerships to enhance its…
The Hungarian Ministry of Defence and EDGE, a prominent advanced technology and defence group, have signed a letter of intent…
Boom Supersonic has announced the successful first supersonic flight of the company's XB-1 demonstrator aircraft at Mojave Air & Space…
BlackSky Technology Inc. has signed a seven-year contract worth over $100 million with a long-term strategic partner in the international…
Malaysia will equip one of its Lekiu-class frigates with the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), an anti-ship surface-to-surface missile developed by…
The U.S. Army has awarded L3Harris Technologies full-rate Manpack and Leader radio production orders under the Handheld, Manpack & Small…
L3Harris recently attached an advanced multirole electronic warfare (EW) capability to a T7 robot and demonstrating it at Vanguard 2024,…
Airbus Helicopters secured 455 gross orders (450 net) in 2024, demonstrating robust market growth with notable demand for its light,…
Piaggio Aerospace, encompassing Piaggio Aero Industries and Piaggio Aviation, has signed a preliminary contract to transfer its business complexes to…
Calian Group Ltd. has announced the appointment of Major-General (Ret.) Roch Pelletier to the newly established position of Regional Vice…
Airnguru, a provider of airline fare management and pricing optimisation solutions, has announced significant financial progress and growth milestones. The…
AMMROC, a UAE-based provider of military maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with…
The Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD has signed a contract worth about $80 million with Elbit Systems for the development…
As part of the Italy-Saudi Arabia institutional round table, ELT Group has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with SAMI Advanced…
Leonardo, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment (MISA), and General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding…
Airbus delivered 766 commercial aircraft to 86 customers around the world in 2024. The commercial aircraft business registered 878 gross…
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has concluded the Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP) for its fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKM…
Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract to deliver propulsion and manoeuvring systems for two new KCR-70 Fast Attack Craft (FAC)…
Representatives from KNDS Deutschland, KNDS France, Rheinmetall Landsysteme, and Thales gathered in Paris to formalise the creation of the "MGCS…
ST Engineering's Commercial Aerospace business has signed a five-year CFM LEAP engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) contract with new…
Embraer is working with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) to expand the use of renewable energy at its U.S.…
The use of the combat-proven Rafael Spyder air defence system in the ongoing war in Israel has created interest in…
The delivery of Elbit Systems PULS artillery systems and the company's Hermes -900 UAV to Serbia is expected to begin…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.