Jets ordered by Iran from Russia have started arriving in the country, according to reports from Iranian media. However, these aircraft are not the Su-35 Flanker fighter jets that Tehran had hoped to receive this year. Instead, Iran has received subsonic Yak-130 trainer jets, as reported by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The agency cited imagery and video showing the new aircraft with IRIAF (Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force) markings. At least two Yak-130s are said to be in Iran’s central Isfahan province and are now in service with the IRIAF.
While the Yak-130 trainers are not as capable as the Su-35, their delivery may indicate that Russia will eventually deliver the desired fighter jets at a later date. In recent weeks, there have been indications and reports suggesting that Moscow had reneged on a previous agreement to sell 24-50 Su-35 fighters to Tehran. It is worth noting that Iran has supplied Russia with hundreds of drones, mainly single-use loitering munitions, for use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Farzin Nadimi, a defense and security analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, stated that he could not confirm or deny the authenticity of the photos and video of the Yak-130 delivery. However, he reasoned that if the delivery is confirmed, it could be seen as a logical step before acquiring fourth-generation fighters and may suggest that the Su-35 deal will eventually move forward in the future.
Iranian officials had expressed optimism that Russia would deliver the Su-35s as early as March this year. However, reports have since suggested that Russia did not fulfill its end of the deal to supply Iran with 50 Su-35s that Tehran had paid for in 2021 and expected to receive this year. There has been speculation that Iran may receive the 24 Su-35s that Russia had already built for Egypt, but the delivery plans may have been disrupted due to the conflict in Ukraine.
The delivery of the Yak-130 trainers indicates that Russia is at least delivering something to Iran after the supplies Tehran has provided to Moscow over the past 18 months. The last time Russia transferred military aircraft to Iran was in the 2000s when six Su-25 Frogfoot attack planes were delivered.
In 2019, the US Defense Intelligence Agency speculated that Iran would seek Yak-130s from Russia, along with S-400 air defense missiles, Bastion coastal defense systems, T-90 tanks, and Su-30 jets, once the UN arms embargo expired in October 2020. However, Tehran has since opted for the more advanced Su-35 over the Su-30.
Although Iran has touted its domestically-built trainers, such as the HESA Yasin, which can train pilots on the basics of fourth-generation fighters and serve as light combat aircraft, these may not provide the specific skillsets needed to operate the Su-35. Iranian officials claim that the country can produce fourth-generation aircraft, but Nadimi stated that the indigenous Iranian training aircraft has not been developed with Russian fourth-generation fighter technology in mind.
The delivery of the Yak-130 trainers could indicate that Iran will eventually receive the Su-35s it has been seeking. For Tehran, it would be better late than never.
What factors, both political and economic, may have influenced Russia’s decision to delay the delivery of the Su-35 fighter jets to Iran
R jets like the Su-35. Nadimi also noted that the Yak-130 trainers could potentially be used to train Iranian pilots for the more advanced fighter jets in the future.
The failure to receive the Su-35 fighter jets this year has raised questions about Russia’s commitment to its previous agreement with Iran. Some believe that political and economic factors, including pressure from the United States, may have influenced Russia’s decision to delay the delivery.
Despite this setback, Iran’s acquisition of the Yak-130 trainers is seen as a positive development for its air force. These jets, while not as capable as the Su-35, are still valuable for training purposes and can enhance Iran’s overall air defense capabilities.
It is unclear when or if Russia will deliver the Su-35 fighter jets to Iran. The situation remains fluid, and further negotiations between the two countries may be needed to resolve the issue. In the meantime, Iran will likely continue to explore other options to strengthen its air force and maintain its defense capabilities.