Iran to arm itself with Russian Mi-28 helicopters

28 November, 2023 Russian Mi-28N attack helicopter. Photo credits: Rostec Iran confirmed agreements with Russia on the supply of Su-35 fighter jets and announced the purchase of Mi-28 attack helicopters.

The Tasnim news agency reports that General Mahdi Farahi, Iran's Deputy Defense Minister, announced this. Also in September, the IRIAF received its first Russian-made Yak-130 combat trainer. Mehdi Farahi said that according to the agreement, Iran will receive Russian Su-35 fighter jets, Mi-28 attack helicopters, and Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft.

According to him, the development of appropriate plans to supply this aircraft to the combat units of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran has already been completed.

Russian Su-35 fighter jet. Photo from open sources

Farahi emphasized that the aircraft and helicopters "will definitely be at Iran's disposal," and the process is currently underway. Moscow and Tehran do not disclose the number of fighter jets and combat trainers and the terms of their supply.

Iran announced the finalization of the deal to sell Russian Su-35 fighter jets in March. Last December, the US administration reported that the Russians were already training Iranian pilots to operate the latest fighter jets. The Iranian military announced its intention to purchase Su-35s, which were discarded by Egypt, in September 2022 after the first batches of Shahed-131/136 drones were delivered to Russia for the war against Ukraine.

Yak-130 combat trainer of the IRIAF, September 2023.

Photo credits: Tasnim

In early September of this year, Russia delivered the first Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft to Iran. This regards several such aircraft. The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) plans to use the Yak-130 to train pilots of 4th+++ and 5th generation fighter jets, in particular the Su-35.

As for helicopters, based on the words of Iran's Deputy Defense Minister, it is currently a matter of receiving a certain number of Russian Mi-28 attack helicopters.

Mi-28 helicopters.

Photo from open sources

In January of this year, unofficial reports were published in the Iranian military-affiliated media that Iran and Russia had agreed to license the production of Russian Ka-52 and Mi-28 attack helicopters.