Iran Bolsters Air Fleet with Russian-Made Sukhoi-35 Fighter Jets

In a significant move highlighting deepening military ties, Iran confirmed its acquisition of Russian-made Sukhoi-35 fighter jets. This marks the first official acknowledgment by a senior Tehran official of the Su-35 purchase, which is set to enhance the country’s military capabilities amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

Iran’s air force, currently operating a limited fleet of strike aircraft—including ageing US models from pre-1979 and older Russian jets—is expected to benefit from the addition of these advanced fighters. Deputy Coordinator of the Khatam-ol-Anbia Central Headquarters, Ali Shadmani, noted that the nation is actively upgrading its arsenal.

“The production of military equipment has accelerated, and outdated systems are being replaced with modern and updated ones,” Shadmani stated. “Whenever necessary, we make military purchases to strengthen our air, ground, and naval forces,” he added, without specifying whether the jets had already been delivered.

Strengthening Strategic Ties
The confirmation comes shortly after Iran and Russia signed a 20-year comprehensive strategic partnership earlier this month. Although the agreement did not explicitly mention arms transfers, it emphasized “military-technical cooperation” and mutual defense assurances. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin formalized the deal during a meeting in Moscow.

The partnership ensures neither country’s territory will be used against the other and commits both nations to avoiding actions that may threaten the other’s security. This pact reinforces the alignment between Tehran and Moscow as both face mounting geopolitical pressures—Russia amid the Ukraine conflict and Iran under Western sanctions and regional instability.

Geopolitical Context
This collaboration comes in the wake of critical shifts in Middle Eastern geopolitics, notably the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December. Both Iran and Russia lost a key ally in Syria, prompting a reassessment of their regional strategies and a closer partnership to maintain their influence.

For Tehran, the Sukhoi-35 jets symbolize a step forward in countering military challenges and filling gaps in its aging air force. For Moscow, the partnership with Iran serves as a counterbalance to its diminishing regional clout.

As both nations navigate global scrutiny and regional rivalries, the addition of these advanced jets to Iran’s combat air fleet is poised to have far-reaching implications for the balance of power in the Middle East.