Arab Defense website-October 4, 2025: Leaked documents from the Russian company “Rostic” revealed a potential order from Iran to acquire 48 Su-35 combat aircraft (classified as customer code 364 = Iran). The papers indicate that the proposed delivery schedule extends between 2026 and 2028, with the requirement of an introduction to 15% of the value of the deal.
Details also include a item to supply 24 electronic warfare system “Khaybini-M”, as well as a technical cooperation clause related to joint production of “Shahid-136” aircraft.
This information remains in the form of leaks until the issuance of an official confirmation from the parties concerned.
According to a report broadcast by Radio Station on January 27, 2025, Iran has officially confirmed that it purchased Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighters. Major General Ali Steamani, Deputy Chief of Staff at the headquarters of the Central Prophets Seal, announced that the aim of this deal is to strengthen the capabilities of the Iranian air, land and naval forces. However, he refrained from mentioning the number of planes purchased or delivery details. These statements are the first official confirmation issued by a high-ranking Iranian official regarding the deal that had been referred to during the past two years, as a step aimed at facing Israeli copies of American F-35 Lightning II, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighiting Falcon.
Iran’s efforts to obtain modern Russian fighters are returning to 2007, when it sought to buy Su-30MK aircraft, but negotiations were stopped by international sanctions and concerns related to its nuclear program. Other attempts also failed in 2015 to obtain the SU-30SM fighters with a request for local production rights. Iranian media had indicated that Iranian Air Force crews began their training in operating Su-35 fighters in Russia in 2022. In 2023, reports reported that Tehran and Moscow had concluded a final agreement to purchase the Su-35se fighters after Iran provided Russia with drones and missile technologies during the war in Ukraine.
According to the reports, the initial demand included 25 Su-35se fighters, then the number rose to 50 aircraft, with the delivery of the first two planes in late 2024, marking the start of its merging into the Iranian Air Force fleet as an alternative to the ancient American fighters F-14 TOMCat and F-4 Phantom that Iran obtained in the 1970s. These aircraft are expected to join the current Iranian fleet, which includes Mig-29 and Russian SU-24 fighters, along with the domestic planes thunderbolt and Kawthar.
Iran has worked in recent years to update its air bases to accommodate the new fighters, as the first two planes of the SU-35se were transferred to Tehran via charging aircraft, then they were collected at the Hamadan Air Force Base (the third tactical air base). Al -Qaeda has witnessed the construction of huge new barns that fit the size of these fighters. Iran has also built fortified facilities, most notably the underground air base “Punishment 44”, which was revealed in early 2023, to enhance the security and preparation of the air fleet, including Su-35 fighters. These rules are located in strategic locations close to Tehran, nuclear facilities and sensitive air defense areas, to ensure the speed of response and reduce the risk of targeting in the event of air attacks.
Besides the SO-35 SE, Iran has received YAK-130 training aircraft since 2023, and Mi-28 offensive helicopters are believed to be dedicated to the Revolutionary Guard forces. Reports in October 2024 also reported that Iran has shown an interest in purchasing the SU-30 fighters and may seek a license to produce the Su-35 and SU-30 locally with a number of 48 and 72 aircraft, although economic and technical obstacles make the implementation of this project not certain.
These developments come in light of the deepening of military and economic cooperation between Moscow and Tehran in recent years, especially in the face of Western sanctions. With the beginning of 2024, Iran joined the Brexes, heading towards an international axis seeking to reduce Western influence in the world order. The comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between the two countries also stipulated military and intelligence cooperation and facing joint sanctions, as Iran supported Russia with running planes and ballistic missiles during the Ukrainian war, while Moscow provided it with advanced systems, most notably the Murmansk-BN system for the electronic war designed to confront the Israeli F-35 fighters.
The SU-35se is the export version of the SU-35 fighter, which is a fourth-generation multi-generation ++ plane, developed on SU-27 Flanker. It features an advanced flying electronics system and two SATURN AL-41F1S engines, with paid nozzles that give them a high maneuvering capacity. As for its IRBIS-E radar, it is equipped with a negative electronic survey (PESA), it can track 30 goals at one time, and to engage with 8 of them with a detection of 400 km for large goals. The plane includes 12 suspension points capable of carrying a load of up to 8 tons of missiles, smart bombs and the GSH-30-10 mm. Although it is not a ghost plane, it is equipped with advanced electronic jamming systems to improve its stay in dense air defense environments.
Half of the plane’s combat diameter is more than 2000 km, and is able to launch long-range R-37M missiles that can track targets up to 400 km. What gives Iran the ability to expand its air operations through the Strait of Hormuz, enhance the monitoring of the Israeli and American naval movements in the region, and secure the air corridors.
Thanks to its advanced radar and armament systems, SU-35SE gives Iran a greater ability to intercept hostile goals and defend its vital positions. Its concentration in fortified rules such as Hamadan and the punishment of 44 enhances its combat readiness and is difficult to target it, which may affect the accounts of regional opponents such as Israel.
The SU-35SE features capabilities that make it a potential competitor to Israeli F-15i RA’A’A’A’A’A’A’A’A’A’A’A-F-16I SUFA. Its radar allows IRBIS-E non-ghost aircraft such as F-15I and F-16I at distances up to 400 km, while R-37 missiles exceed the extent of engagement behind the visibility of its American AIM-120D counterpart. In the near fighting, it gives it a high -maneuvering highlight, while the IRST thermal tracking system allows the monitoring of the ghost aircraft through its thermal mark, which limits its advantage in hiding. However, the actual combat performance remains dependent on other factors such as pilots’ skill, tasks, and ground support systems.
The article showed leaked documents indicating Iran’s request to buy 48 Su-35 fighters first on the Arab defense site.
