Iran started receiving Russian Su-35 fighter jets

18 April, 2023 Su-35S fighter handed over to the Russian Air Force, December 2022. Photo credits: UAC Russia has started transferring Su-35 fighter jets to Iran within its agreements with the country.

A video featuring a warplane flying over Iranian territory was released on social media on Tuesday. The footage caught the moment when one fighter was landing at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran. According to eyewitnesses, the arrival of at least three Russian-made Su-35s was recorded.

Back in December 2022, Western intelligence reported that Russia was going to hand over Su-35 fighter jets to Iran in exchange for military assistance. The Biden administration has accused Russia of providing advanced military equipment to Iran, including air defense systems, helicopters, and fighter jets, as part of deepening cooperation between the two countries.

The commander of the Iranian Air Force reported back in the fall that the purchase of Russian Su-30 fighter aircraft, which was planned earlier, has now given way to plans for the purchase of Su-35 fighter jets.

Su-35S fighters on the territory of the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant.

2015. Photo credits: Russian media

In January 2023, the agreement to purchase Russian fighter jets was confirmed by Shahriar Heydari, a member of the parliamentary commission on Iran's national security and foreign policy. He mentioned that the aircraft would be delivered to the country already at the beginning of the new year according to the Iranian calendar, i.e. after March 21.

Russia also trained Iranian pilots to operate the Su-35 fighter jet.

Russian Su-35 fighter. Photo from open sources

In March, the Permanent Mission of Iran to the UN announced the completion of a contract with Russia to purchase Russian Su-35 fighter jets. The value of the contract and the number of fighter jets were not disclosed.

Initially, these planes were intended for Egypt, and Moscow and Cairo signed the contract for their supply in early 2019. The value of the deal was estimated at £ 2 billion. However, later Egypt refused the aircraft, probably due to problems with the flight characteristics of the Russian Su-35.

Su-35 fighter jets on the territory of the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant named after Yu.A.

Gagarin

In 2022, 21 Su-35 fighter jets, which were assigned to Egypt, were stationed on the territory of the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant named after Yu.A.

Gagarin.

Moscow and Tehran could agree on the supply of fighter jets in exchange for help in the war with Ukraine.