Iran Discussing Purchase of Su-35 Fighter Jets with Russia: Iranian Air Force Chief

Iranian Air Force is discussing the purchase of Su-35 front-line fighter jets with Russia.

Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi, commander of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said in an interview with Borna news agency that the purchase of  Sukhoi 35 fighters from Russia is on the Air Force's agenda.

He stated that the purchase of Sukhoi 30 is not in the plan and currently the purchase of Sukhoi 35 from Russia is discussed, adding: This issue is on the agenda and we hope to be able to get these 4++ generation fighters in the future.

The Air Force  chief however  emphasized that the final decision on the purchase of Sukhoi 35 fighter jets from Russia rests with the Army Command and the Armed Forces.

This is the first clear statement from a senior Iranian official that it is discussing the purchase of Su-35 jets with Russia.

Unconfirmed report say that a group of Iranian pilots have been sent to Russia for training.

While Russia has not acknowledged that it is in discussion with Iran, the way for it to export weapons to Iran opened up after the UN sanctions against Iran expired in 2021.

Recently, Russian sources revealed that the manufacture of Su-35 was on schedule to the Russian Aerospace Forces and a foreign customer without revealing who the identity of foreign customer.

Egypt has ordered 24 Su-35 jets but there are doubts if the order will go through in the face of American threats to impose sanctions if it buys arms from Russia.