Reports of an “imminent” delivery of Russian Su-35 fighter jets to Iran have been circulating for more than four years – and just as often the announcements have come to nothing. Now, however, there are increasing indications that the delivery will actually take place. At the same time, Sudan is also showing interest in the model: there is even talk of a possible “fighter jets for naval bases” swap deal.
When the then Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian armed forcesMohammad Bagheri, was in Moscow in October 2021, rumors first surfaced that Iran was interested in purchasing the Su-35 fighter aircraft.
This became more concrete after the Russian attack on Ukraine in mid-2022, when Su-30SM or Su-35 fighter jets were rumored as a compensation deal for Iranian Shahed drones. Putin traveled to Tehran in July. Iran subsequently supplied Shahed drones and transferred the corresponding production technology.
In autumn 2022, the website Defense Arab reported on an arms contract worth the equivalent of around nine billion euros, which is to include the delivery of 64 Su-35 fighter jets, a military satellite and two S-400 anti-aircraft missile divisions.
In December 2022, the Tehran Times reported that Iran would “soon” receive an entire squadron of Su-35 fighter jets from Russia. The Iranian news agency Tasnim then reported in January 2023 that the ordered Su-35s were due to arrive at the beginning of the next Iranian year – i.e. at the end of March of the same year (Iran uses a solar calendar whose beginning of the year falls on the equinox around March 21).
But all these media reports came to nothing. In March 2023, the game started all over again: Russian media once again reported on an alleged contract with Iran to purchase Russian Su-35 fighter jets. In May 2023, the ISW (Institute for the Study of War) assumed a first delivery “in the coming week” after analyzing Russian and Iranian sources.
In September 2023, it was announced that two Yak-130 jet trainers had been delivered to Iran using an Antonov An-124 (-> Iran uses its Yak-130 trainers for drone hunting) – to train future Su-35 pilots.
In November 2023, TASS quoted Iranian Deputy Defense Minister General Mahdi Farahi as confirming the purchase of Russian Mi-28 combat helicopters, Su-35 fighter jets and Yak-130 training and combat aircraft. The procurement process is still ongoing; prices and delivery dates remain open.
In January 2024, Militär Aktuell reported on a new agreement between Iran and Russia on the procurement of the Su-35 Flanker-E andin August 2024 CNN reported that Tehran felt betrayed by Moscow: Russia had almost completely localized the Shahed production in Alabuga, withheld payments and failed to keep its promises to deliver the Su-35.
Social media propaganda war in South Asia
Immediately after the US operation “Midnight Hammer” against Iran in June 2025 – in which the US attacked central Iranian nuclear facilities – and under the impression of the brief exchange of blows between India and Pakistan in May 2025local media reported in July about a possible delivery of Chinese J-10Cs to Iran. Quantities of between 10 and 40 aircraft were mentioned.
BREAKING!
🇨🇳China’s State Media announced that China is transferring 10 of its J-10 fighter jets from 🇵🇰Pakistan to 🇮🇷 Iran! pic.twitter.com/eEO2ABAOW0– Daily Iran News (@DailyIranNews) October 4, 2025
Ukrainian hackers publish data on the Russian aviation industry
A break-in by Ukrainian hackers into the IT systems of a Russian aviation supplier in October recently provided new information on the order backlog. According to this, there are orders for:
- Algeria: 12 Su-57 and 14 Su-34 (-> Militär Aktuell reported)
- Ethiopia: 6 Su-35
- Iran: 48 Su-35
According to the leaked advance payment dates (2022), it is assumed that components will be delivered between 2024 and 2026 and that the aircraft will be delivered between 2026 and 2028. Russian sources also report that Iranian media have written about preparations for the final assembly of the Su-35 in Iran. The aforementioned report speaks of an annual capacity of 48 to 72 aircraft – an almost absurd exaggeration.
🇮🇷🇷🇺 Russia has begun manufacturing parts for the ‘SU-35’ fighter jets ordered by Iran.
Based on leaked documents related to the “KnAAZ” factory, “NPP-Zvezda” and the “Yakovlev” fighter jet companies, the “United24” news outlet published a report indicating that currently 16… pic.twitter.com/yDvRFMpiWe
– OSINT Expert (@OsintExperts) December 2, 2025
A similar report in Ukrainian media is now attracting attention on Russian social networks:
Documents from OAK (United Aircraft Corporation), KnAAZ (manufacturer of the Su-35), NPP Zvezda (ejection seats) and the Jakovlev Corporation (sensors and other equipment) indicate that Iran has paid in full for an order of 16 aircraft – in tranches in March, July and December 2024. Execution is scheduled for 2025 to 2027.
The orders contain specifications for labeling and technical documentation in English, for the use of the imperial measurement system and for the production of new components only.
Militär Aktuell Podcast #13: Air Chief Generalmajor Gerfried Promberger im Gespräch
Delivery to Iran by 2027?
Russian specialist media are currently assuming a paid order for 16 Su-35s with delivery by 2027. In order to achieve the originally stated figures of 48 or 64 aircraft, there is speculation about three to four delivery tranches.
The fact is, however, that Russia has not yet been able to deliver – although Su-35s for Egypt were already in production and partially completed, and the first pictures of the aircraft have already been seen online. the first pictures of the aircraft could be seen online. It can be assumed that these aircraft contain components that Russia no longer has access to as a result of the sanctions. Since the beginning of the war of aggression against Ukraine, import substitution and the circumvention of sanctions have characterized the aviation and defence industry in particular.
Su-30, Su-35 or missiles in exchange for a naval base in Sudan?
Defense Arab recently reported, with reference to Army Recognition, that Russia is also negotiating with Sudan about the purchase of Su-30 or Su-35 aircraft. According to the report, the Sudanese armed forces are urgently seeking air superiority and deep strike capabilities to halt the advance of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the civil war. However, Sudan is not in a position to finance the aircraft in the traditional way.
A strategic swap deal is therefore on the table: Moscow has been trying to acquire a naval and logistics base in Port Sudan on the Red Sea since 2020. According to media reports, an “aircraft for base” deal could be under consideration.
The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Sudanese officials, that Russia had offered a 25-year cooperation agreement. The deal would allow the deployment of up to 300 Russian soldiers and four warships – including nuclear-powered submarines. There is also talk of offering Sudan discounted Russian missile defense systems.
Here for more news about the Iranian armed forces.
