Russian Sukhoi-35 warplane
An Iranian lawmaker says the country will receive Russian Su-35 fighter jets within three months under an agreement with Moscow.
Shahriar Heidari (Haydari), a member of the parliament's National Security Committee, told Tasnim News Agency on Sunday that the fighter jets are going to arrive in the coming Iranian new year that begins on March 21.
However, Heidari did not specify the number of aircraft ordered.
“We have also ordered a number of other military equipment from Russia, including air defense systems, missile systems and helicopters, most of which will also arrive soon,” underlined the Iranian parliamentarian.
Iran has supplied hundreds of Kamikaze drones to Russia since last September that have been extensively used against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure. Western powers have expressed concern over the growing military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.
Media reports say the Islamic Republic will also get 24 twin-engine fourth-generation fighter jets that will be used primarily for "air superiority missions."
Back in September, Air Force Commander Hamid Vahedi said "the purchase of the Sukhoi 35 from Russia is being considered" by the Iranian air force.
The news of Iran's purchase of Sukhoi 35 fighter jets was first published last summer by the Institute for the Study of War, based in Washington, which covers the news of Russia's war against Ukraine.
Iran has not acquired any new combat aircraft in recent years, except some Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters it purchased in the 1990s.