Iran to receive Russian Su-35 fighter jets in 3 months

TEHRAN, Iran

Iran will receive Russian Su-35 fighter jets within three months under an agreement with Moscow, an Iranian parliamentarian said on Sunday.

Shahriar Heidari, a member of the parliament's National Security Committee, told Tasnim News Agency that the jets will arrive in Iran in the coming Iranian year, which begins March 21.

According to MP, Tehran has also ordered a number of other military equipment from Russia, including air defense systems, missile systems and helicopters, most of which will arrive soon.

According to media reports, Iran will receive 24 twin-engine, highly maneuverable fourth-generation fighter jets that will be used primarily for air superiority missions.

Some of the fighters are expected to be based at the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) Tactical Air Base (TAB) 8, located in the city of Isfahan in central Iran.

Iran has not acquired any new combat aircraft in recent years, except some Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters it purchased in the 1990s.

Iran and Russia have signed important agreements in recent months to strengthen their economic, trade, energy, and military cooperation.

Last September, Iranian Air Force Commander Hamid Vahedi stated that the purchase of Su-30 fighters was not on his country's agenda.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report