Iran has finalized arrangements regarding the delivery of Sukhoi-SU-35 fighter jets and Russian-made helicopters, Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister told Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Tuesday (28/11), as the two countries deepen increasingly close military ties.
The Iranian Air Force has only a few dozen attack aircraft, including Russian jets as well as older US fighter jets it acquired before Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
“Plans have been finalized for Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters and Yak-130 trainer jets to join the Iranian Army’s combat units,” said Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister Mehdi Farahi.
The Tasnim news agency report did not mention any confirmation from Russia regarding the deal.
In 2018, Iran said it had begun producing a locally designed Kowsar fighter aircraft for use by its air force.
Military experts believe the jets are copies of the F-5, which was first produced in the US in the 1960s. (uh/ab)