Iran Strengthens Air Fleet with Sukhoi-35 Deal and Russian Helicopters

Today, the Iranian news agency "Tasnim" reported that the Deputy Minister of Defense stated that Iran has completed arrangements to purchase Sukhoi-35 fighter jets and Russian-made helicopters, as part of strengthening military relations between the two countries. This comes as Tehran and Moscow reinforce their military ties. The agency quoted Deputy Minister of Defense Mehdi Farahi saying, "Tehran has completed arrangements for purchasing Sukhoi-35 fighter jets and Russian-made helicopters." He added, "We have finalized the purchase of Mi-28 attack helicopters, Sukhoi-35 jets, and Yak-130 training aircraft to be incorporated into the Iranian Army's combat units." The Iranian Air Force possesses a limited number of attack aircraft, including some Russian models, as well as old American models acquired before the Islamic Revolution in 1979.