Iran buys Su-35 fighter jets and Russian attack helicopters.

Iran announced the completion of an agreement to purchase Su-35S multirole fighter jets, Mi-28 attack helicopters, and training aircraft manufactured in Russia.

"The plan to deploy Su-35S fighter jets, Mi-28 attack helicopters, and Yak-130 jet trainers to Iranian combat units has been completed," Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Mehdi Farahi said on November 28, but did not disclose the number of aircraft ordered from Russia.

Iran currently operates over 180 fighter jets of various types manufactured by the US, the Soviet Union, and China, the most powerful of which are dozens of F-14A heavy fighter aircraft delivered by Washington before 1979. However, limited spare parts supply has forced Tehran to seek ways to supplement its forces, even though it has domestically manufactured many parts and weapons for the F-14A.

Iranian Air Force Commander Hamid Vahedi announced late last year that the country was considering purchasing Su-35S fighter jets from Russia.

The Su-35S fighter jet, built by Russia for Egypt, underwent test flights in 2021. Photo: Russian Planes — The Su-35S fighter jet, built by Russia for Egypt, underwent test flights in 2021. Photo: *Russian Planes*

Tehran announced in early September that it had received a batch of Yak-130 aircraft, a type of aircraft used to train pilots for modern fighter jets such as the Su-35S, and deployed them at the Shahid Babaei base in the central part of the country. Iranian defense officials later said that the handover of the aircraft was part of military agreements with Russia.

Russia and Iran began military cooperation in 2001, but it ceased in March 2016 after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution banning the export of technology related to nuclear weapons delivery systems to Iran, prohibiting Iran from exporting military equipment, and banning countries from selling many types of conventional weapons to the country.

In August 2020, the Security Council rejected a US proposal to extend the arms embargo against Iran. This allowed Russia to supply Iran with advanced weapons after the embargo expired. The administration of US President Joe Biden believes that Russia and Iran are developing a "comprehensive defense relationship."

In May, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that Russia and Iran were expanding their defense partnership "to an unprecedented degree," arguing that this was "harmful to Ukraine, the Middle East region, and the international community."

Vu Anh (According to Tasnim, Reuters )

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