Iran turns to Russia to modernise fighter jet fleet
The Su-35 has a simultaneous tracking capability of up to 30 for aerial targets and four for ground targets. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
As Iranian drones equip Russian forces in ever-increasing numbers, Su-35 fighter jets will soon be heading in the opposite direction as Tehran urgently seeks modern air combat capabilities.
The latest reports of Iran receiving 24 Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets emerged through Western intelligence sources at the end of last year.
Shahriar Heidari, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, confirmed this in the middle of January in an interview with Iranian media.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force’s (IRIAF) is in dire need of modern air capabilities as it still largely relies on US-built fighter jets procured before the 1979 revolution.
In 2015, reports said the IRIAF wanted to procure Su-30s, but Tehran’s priorities were focused elsewhere at the time.
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