Iran says it has bought Russian Su‑35 fighters but will get them only after the war
An Iranian Army spokesperson says Tehran has purchased Russian Su‑35 multirole fighters, with deliveries expected only after the war ends. The statements confirm a completed deal but leave the timing and scale of Iran’s planned airpower upgrade unclear.
Iran has confirmed that it has bought Russian Su‑35 multirole fighters, but says the aircraft will not arrive until after the war ends.
Iranian Army spokesperson Amir Akraminia stated in an interview that Iran has purchased Russian Su‑35 fighters and expects deliveries to begin after the war ends. In a separate but consistent statement, an Iranian military spokesperson said the purchase process for the Sukhoi 35 aircraft has already been completed and that Iran will receive them after the war.
Neither statement specifies which war this condition refers to or gives a detailed delivery schedule. The number of aircraft involved and the financial terms have also not been disclosed in the available reporting.
Even with those gaps, the confirmation marks a significant planned upgrade for Iran’s air force. The Su‑35 is described as a multirole fighter, designed to perform both air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground missions, and would be a more modern platform than much of Iran’s existing fleet.
By tying delivery to the end of the war, the two sides signal that current fighting still shapes when advanced equipment can be transferred and fielded. For Iran, the commitment promises a future increase in capability, while for Russia it indicates an intention to supply high‑end aircraft once its own wartime needs allow.
Signals to watch now include any mention of pilot training or preparations for basing and maintenance, which would show how quickly Iran intends to move from eventual delivery to operational use once the agreed conditions are met.
Sources
- OSINT