File image.
Iran had signed a contract to purchase 12 Su-30SM2 fighter jets from Russia, with the aircraft to be delivered second hand with very few flight hours, according to rumors that first emerged on June 24 from social media accounts linked to the Islamic Republic’s military.
The first batch of the fighter jets are allegedly scheduled to be delivered to Iran in mid-2027, and the deliveries are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Preparations to provide Iran with the necessary infrastructure to operate the jets are set to begin in the near future, according to the rumors.
The alleged deal came after the Islamic Republic signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States to end the war, which was started by the latter and Israel last February. Tehran emerged on top, but the fighting still took a toll on its military capabilities, especially its aging air force.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) currently operates only a few dozen warplanes, including Soviet-era fighter jets as well as aging American-made models acquired before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Last year, Iran confirmed that it had inked a deal with Russia for the purchase of the advanced Su-35S, with later reports and leaks indicating that the IRIAF could get as many as 48 fighter jets of this type. No deliveries have been reported yet, however.
The rumored Su-30SM2 deal may be meant to fill in the gap, and ease the transition into the more advanced Su-35S in the near future.
The Su-30SM2 comes already upgraded with the Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array radar with a range of up to 400 kilometers, and can fire the R-37M long-range air-to-air missile, just like the Su-35S.
If confirmed, the deal will significantly enhance the capabilities of the IRIAF in a short period. In a few years, the air force could be operating 60 Su-30SM2 and Su-30S fighter jets.
These advanced fighter jets were designed to engage all types of aerial targets both in long and close ranged air battles as well as to attack ground and sea-surface targets including those covered by air defenses and located far behind the frontline.
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used ? smh . does india get used equipment from russia ? does turkey ? delivered in 2027 , is this a joke ?
iran got a dick in its arse from usa & israel…heheheheh