Leaked Russian Documents Show 48 Su-35 Fighters Planned For Delivery to Iran
Middle East , Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft
Russian government documents released in a recent leak have indicated that significant deliveries of fighter aircraft are expected within the next three months. These include the transfer of 48 Su-35 fighters to re-equip the Iranian Air Force, as well as transfers of 14 Su-34 strike fighters and two Su-57 fifth generation air superiority fighters to Algeria. The documents are corroborated by statements from Iranian officials confirming that orders for Su-35s had been placed, by the appearance of Su-34s in Russia in colours matching those of the Algerian Air Force, and by statements from Algerian government sources in February that the country would receive its first Su-57s before the end of the year. Should the Russian defence sector go through with the transfer, it would have delivered Su-35s to two new clients this year, with the Algerian Air Force having been confirmed to have received its first Su-35s in March.
While the introduction of the Su-35 into service in Algeria is expected to have a much more limited impact on its aerial warfare capabilities, as the country already operates a large fleet of advanced Su-30MKA ‘4+ generation’ fighters among other fighter types, Iran’s procurement of Su-35s is expected to be totally transformative for its air force’s capabilities. Before October 2025, when the first modernised MiG-29s were reportedly delivered, Iran lacked any post-Cold War fighter types, with its large fleet comprised primarily of Vietnam War era F-4E and F-5E/F jets that are almost three generations behind the cutting edge. The Su-35’s combination of a very long range, highly sophisticated weaponry, and a powerful suite of particularly large sensors thus makes it a game changer.
With personnel from Iran reportedly having long since begun training for Su-35 operations in Russia, while footage from two airbases have appeared to show preparations underway to host the aircraft, the fighters may become operational before the end of the year. A primarily attraction of the Su-35 over the more advanced Su-57 is that the aircraft can be delivered quickly, with production having expanded considerably since 2022 to around 30 fighters per year, a large portion of which can be allocated to meeting Iranian orders. With prior unconfirmed reports indicating that Iran could be planning to procure 48 of the fighters, the possibility remains that the 48 fighters mentioned in the latest document are intended for delivery in 2025. Further Su-35s may have already been ordered, or may be planned for later procurement.
With only 24 Su-35s having been delivered abroad before 2025, the program’s export performance was considered throughly underwhelming until the new Algerian and Iranian orders were confirmed. The significant possibility of Iran ordering close to 100 fighters has the potential to represent a major turning point for the program. The possibility of significant customisation of the aircraft to meet Iranian requirements, including the potential development of a twin seat variant, has been widely speculated. Iran has faced highly unfavourable power trajectories, with the overthrow of its primary regional strategic partner the Syrian Arab Republic by Turkish, Israeli and Western backed paramilitaries in December having been followed by a strengthening of U.S. and Western presences in the Middle East, and by modernisation of the Israeli and Turkish fighter fleets. Belated investment in major procurements of modern fighters thus has the potential to provide Iran with much more formidable military capabilities.
No comments:
Post a Comment