Iran is receiving the new Russian fighter-bomber Su-35

According to international sources, Iran will receive its first batch of Sukhoi Su-35 aircraft from Russia next week, significantly strengthening its air force’s ability to counter potential air strikes by adversaries such as Israel at a time when Tehran and Tel Aviv are on the brink of open conflict.

According to press sources, Tehran will take delivery of the first aircraft from a total of 24 Su-35 “Flanker-E” jets.

The acquisition of the 4.5-generation fighter aircraft from Russia marks a significant upgrade for the Iranian Air Force, which has relied heavily on older fighter jets.

The Su-35 is the most modern fighter jet online in significant numbers in Russia. Its evolution began, based on the robust and reliable Su-27 airframe, at the end of the Soviet Union and continued into the 1990s because, from the earliest stages of its development, it proved to be a promising design. It is a single-seat multi-role fighter with advanced electronics that is also in service in China.

Su35 second prototype

The Iranian Air Force currently uses models such as the MiG-29 as well as U.S.-made aircraft such as the F-5, F-4 Phantom, and F-14 Tomcat, acquired during the reign of Shah Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. U.S. fighter jets are not only old but have complex maintenance due to international sanctions.

Last week, the Washington Post, citing intelligence sources, reported that Russia would soon also supply Iran with advanced air defense systems such as the S-400 “Triumph.”

Leading American media outlets have reported that Moscow is taking this action as part of its attempts to bolster Iran’s air defense capabilities in case the US and Israel decide to launch airstrikes.

Russia reportedly hosted an Iranian delegation last month to visit several military production facilities, including those involved in the production of critical components for the S-400 system.

The delegation, consisting of 17 senior Iranian officials, visited the START NPP company’s facilities in Yekaterinburg.