Editor-DN
German sources have reported that the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran… [IRIAF] The first two have been received. Sukhoi Su-35SE fighter jets. According to Flight reviewThe jets were handed over during a private ceremony at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant [KnAAPO] On 18 November 2024. This marks a significant advance in Iran’s ongoing efforts to modernize its air force.
The German report said the multi-role fighters were separated and flown to Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport in a Russian Antonov An-124-100 military cargo plane.
Once in Tehran, the aircraft components were offloaded to the Third Tactical Air Base near the city for further transfer. the desertwhere the jets will be reassembled. This process will be the first step in preparing the aircraft for operational deployment.
Flugrevue also notes that the IRIAF’s initial plan was to use the Su-35SE to replace its aging fleet of Grumman F-14A Tomcats stationed in Isfahan, but the Su-35SE order has reportedly increased from 25 Up to 50 aircraft have been built.
These adjustments suggest an expanded role for the Su-35SE in Iran’s air force, possibly supporting the phasing out of its older McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighters. Currently, these fighter jets are serving with the 31st Tactical Fighter Squadron at the Hamadan base, highlighting the critical need for the next-generation aircraft.
Iran’s underground air base Known as Eagle-44.represents a significant advance in efforts to preserve its air power against potential adversaries. Officially unveiled in February 2023, the facility is one of several underground complexes designed to house advanced military aircraft, including fighters and drones, from airstrikes.
Located in an undisclosed location, the base is strategically positioned to increase Iran’s operational flexibility and resilience, particularly in a region where air superiority plays a critical role in military strategy.
Eagle-44 is equipped with extensive infrastructure to support the operations of various types of aircraft. The base reportedly has fortified hangars, maintenance facilities, and storage areas, all hidden in mountain ranges to reduce the risk of satellite surveillance and missile attacks.
Footage released by Iran’s state media shows the presence of missile systems as well as the ability to accommodate large aircraft, suggesting it serves as both a staging ground and a defensive bastion. Designed to work.
Its construction is in line with Iran’s survival doctrine, which aims to maintain the functionality of its air force despite repeated attacks.
While the full capabilities of the Eagle-44 remain classified, its development highlights Iran’s increasing focus on asymmetric strategies to counter technologically superior adversaries.
The base is likely intended to house some of Iran’s most advanced aircraft, such as the recently acquired Su-35E fighter jets, as well as indigenous drone and missile systems.
The facility, along with others reportedly under construction, underscores Tehran’s determination to ensure the longevity and operational readiness of its air force under any circumstances.
In order to integrate these advanced fighters into its arsenal, Iran faces several procedural and logistical steps. Upon arrival at the Hamdan facility, the jets will be carefully assembled by special teams.
This will include connecting critical systems, calibrating avionics, and testing mechanical and electronic components to ensure operational readiness.
After assembly, the Su-35SEs will undergo extensive ground testing to validate systems such as engine, flight control, and weapons integration. Only after these checks will the test flights begin, allowing the IRIAF pilots to familiarize themselves with the aircraft’s capabilities.
The process will likely involve cooperation with Russian experts to ensure proper training of Iranian personnel, as the Su-35SE represents a significant technological leap over Iran’s current fleet.
In addition to pilot training, ground crews will need to be educated on the Su-35SE’s maintenance requirements. With its advanced radar systems and avionics, the Su-35SE demands a high level of technical expertise.
Iran will also need to establish a reliable supply chain for spare parts, as any interruption in availability could adversely affect the operational readiness of the aircraft.
The acquisition of these aircraft signals Iran’s intention to modernize its air force while shedding its reliance on aging platforms.
However, challenges in assembly, training and maintenance mean that these advanced jets have months of preparation before they can become an active part of the IRIAF’s fleet. As Flugrevue highlights, these deliveries are just the beginning of a complex process to bring Iran’s air power closer to contemporary standards.
The path to Iran’s acquisition of the Sukhoi Su-35E fighter jets has been marked by complex geopolitical negotiations, technological hurdles and evolving strategic priorities.
Talks between Iran and Russia regarding the sale of advanced warplanes began in the early 2000s, but accelerated after the United Nations lifted an arms embargo on Iran in October 2020.
The lifting of the embargo under Resolution 2231 opens the door for Tehran to modernize its aging air force, a long-standing goal hampered by decades of sanctions and isolation.
Despite the expiration of the embargo, Iran’s acquisition of the Su-35E faced significant obstacles. Western powers, particularly the United States, expressed strong opposition to the arms sale, which would bolster Iran’s military capabilities.
Moreover, Russia, while willing to join arms deals, was initially reluctant due to concerns about international backlash and wider geopolitical implications. However, growing ties between Moscow and Tehran, strengthened by shared interests in Syria and opposition to Western influence, ultimately set the stage for a possible deal.
A breakthrough reportedly came in 2022 when Iran supplied Russia with drones and other equipment for use in the conflict in Ukraine. This deepened bilateral cooperation, with military-to-military relations becoming a focal point.
By 2023, reports surfaced that Iran had finalized an order for 25 Su-35SE jets. However, the delivery timeline was unclear, partly due to production bottlenecks at the Sukhoi and partly due to the logistical complications of moving advanced military technology to a heavily sanctioned country.
Implementation of the deal was further delayed as Iran sought to secure the infrastructure and technical expertise necessary to operate and maintain the aircraft. Russia’s support was crucial in this regard, as Iran had no prior experience with the Su-35 platform.
By 2024, additional reports suggested that the order could be increased to 50 units, to improve Iran’s air force and to add the Su-35E to its strategic Reflects broader ambitions of integration into ideology.
The Sukhoi Su-35 represents the pinnacle of Russian fighter aircraft design and engineering, embodying decades of experience in the production of multiple fighter jets.
The Su-35 is a heavily upgraded derivative of the Su-27 Flanker, with advanced avionics, greater maneuverability, and a wider range of weapons.
Designed as a “Generation 4++” As a fighter, it bridges the gap between fourth-generation jets such as the Su-30 and fifth-generation platforms. Su-57.
The Su-35SE, the export variant of the aircraft, is equipped with advanced systems that make it a formidable addition to any air force. Chief among these is the N035 Irbis-E radar, which is capable of detecting and tracking up to 30 air targets simultaneously at a range of over 400 km.
The aircraft also features thrust vectoring engines, giving it unmatched maneuverability in dogfights and the ability to perform complex aerial maneuvers such as Pugachev’s Cobra and Kulbit.
In terms of armament, the Su-35 can carry up to 8 tons of weapons on 12 hardpoints. This includes air-to-air missiles such as the R-77 and R-73, surface-to-surface munitions such as the Kh-29 and Kh-31, and precision-guided bombs.
The aircraft is also equipped with a sophisticated electronic countermeasures system, which increases its survivability by jamming enemy radars and missiles.
The Su-35 is available in different configurations to suit the needs of different operators. While the Su-35S is the primary variant used by the Russian Aerospace Forces, export models such as the Su-35SE can be customized with different avionics and systems based on customer requirements.
This flexibility has made the Su-35 a popular choice among countries seeking advanced fighter capabilities without investing in fifth-generation technologies.
The Su-35’s operational role includes air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions. Its combination of speed, range, and weaponry allows it to dominate contested airspace and launch precision strikes against ground targets.
However, its full potential depends on the skill of its operators and the quality of its logistical support—a challenge Iran must address as it integrates the Su-35SE into its air force.
For Tehran, acquiring this platform is not just about upgrading its fleet but also about projecting power in a region where air superiority is a key component of military strategy.
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