A leaked document circulating online has outlined the long-anticipated delivery schedule of Russian Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets to Iran, marking a significant development in Tehran’s efforts to modernize its outdated air force.
According to the document, Iran has purchased 48 SU-35 aircraft from Russia, with the first batch of 12 jets expected to arrive in 2026. Deliveries will continue with 18 jets scheduled for 2027 and another 18 in 2028. The leak also echoes earlier reports this year suggesting that Moscow had authorized Iran to locally manufacture an additional 48 to 72 SU-35s under license, although this remains unconfirmed.
Iran’s pursuit of the advanced Russian jets dates back to 2016, when a deal was first announced following the lifting of UN arms embargoes. A fresh opportunity arose in 2020 after Egypt canceled its own SU-35 contract for 24 aircraft, which Iran later absorbed in 2021 with the expectation of deliveries by 2023. However, repeated delays fueled speculation, with Iranian officials publicly denying any imminent arrivals throughout 2024.
The Islamic Republic’s air force has long relied on aging platforms, including U.S.-built F-4 Phantoms and F-14 Tomcats acquired before the 1979 revolution, alongside a limited number of domestically assembled aircraft. Last week, an Iranian parliamentarian claimed that Tehran had recently received a batch of MIG-29 fighters, already part of its inventory, as a temporary measure until SU-35s arrive. Posts on Iranian-aligned media platforms such as Telegram appear to corroborate this claim, though no official confirmation has been issued.
The urgency of Iran’s modernization push grew following Israel’s 12-day war against Iran in June, during which Tehran’s air defense systems reportedly underperformed. Since then, near-daily military flights from Moscow to Tehran carrying equipment have highlighted the deepening defense partnership between the two nations. For Tehran, the acquisition of SU-35s is seen as a crucial step in preparing for what it views as an inevitable second confrontation with Israel.