Iran buys Russian Su-35 fighters and armed helicopters

Iran announced the completion of a deal to purchase Su-35S multi-role fighters, Mi-28 attack helicopters and training aircraft made in Russia.

"The plan to equip Su-35S fighters, Mi-28 attack helicopters and Yak-130 jet trainers for Iran's 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 is currently operating more than 180 fighter jets of various types produced by the US, the Soviet Union and China, the most powerful of which are dozens of F-14A heavy fighters delivered by Washington before 1979. However, limited supply of spare parts has forced Tehran to find ways to supplement its forces, even though it has been able to manufacture many spare parts and weapons for the F-14A itself.

Iranian Air Force Commander Hamid Vahedi announced late last year that the country was considering purchasing Russian Su-35S fighters.

Su-35S fighter jets manufactured by Russia for Egypt took a test flight in 2021. Photo: Russian Planes — Su-35S fighter jets manufactured by Russia for Egypt took a test flight in 2021. Photo: *Russian Planes*

Tehran announced in early September that it had received a batch of Yak-130 aircraft, which are specialized in training 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 the delivery of the aircraft was part of military agreements with Russia.

Russia and Iran began military cooperation in 2001, but stopped in March 2016 after the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution banning the export of technology related to nuclear weapons delivery systems to Iran, banning Iran from exporting weapons and banning countries from selling many types of conventional weapons to this country.

The Security Council in August 2020 rejected a US proposal to extend the arms embargo on Iran. This would allow Russia to supply Iran with advanced weapons after the embargo expires. The Biden administration has said that Russia and Iran are developing a "comprehensive defense relationship."

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

Vu Anh (According to Tasnim, Reuters )

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