According to Tasnim on November 28, 2023, Iran finalized the procurement of several Russian aircraft, including Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters, Sukhoi-35 fighters, and Yak-130 training aircraft. Sardar Seyed Mehdi Farhi, Deputy Minister of Defense and Support of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, confirmed the ongoing acquisition process.

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Iran finalized the procurement of several Russian aircraft, including Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters, Sukhoi Su-35 fighters, and Yak-130 training aircraft (Picture source: Yandex and Vitaly Kuzmin)

Farhi acknowledged Iran's existing helicopter capabilities and regional leadership in quantity. However, he highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance qualitative aspects, referencing projects focusing on night flying, avionics system upgrades, and missile system enhancements. The progress made by Panha (Helicopter Support and Renovation Company of Iran) over the past three decades was noted without explicit evaluation.

This strategic move follows a meeting in January 2023 between Igor Levitin, special assistant to the Russian president, and Mohammed Mokhbar, the first vice president of Iran. During the meeting, Levitin expressed Russian companies' readiness for joint helicopter production with Iran. Amir Mojtaba Rouhani, the CEO of Panha, had previously highlighted Iran's regional role in the repair of Russian helicopters.

Iran's Air Force currently operates a diverse fleet, including American-made F-14 Tomcats and F-4 Phantoms, Russian-made MiG-29s and Su-24s, and domestically produced jets like the HESA Saeqeh and Kowsar. The addition of the Mil-28 attack helicopter, Sukhoi-35 fighter, and Yak-130 training aircraft is expected to further diversify and modernize Iran's air capabilities.

The Yak-130 training aircraft, a significant component of this acquisition, saw the delivery of the first two units to the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran on September 11, 2023. The Yakovlev Yak-130 is a Russian subsonic two-seat new-generation aircraft designed for both basic and advanced flight training. With the ability to mimic the characteristics of several fourth and fifth-generation combat aircraft, the Yak-130 will enable Iranian pilots to train for operating advanced Russian-made fighters like the Sukhoi Su-35.

The Yak-130s are stationed at the Shahid Babaei Air Base in Isfahan, central Iran, and are anticipated to significantly improve the training and combat readiness of the Iranian Air Force. This new addition will allow Iranian pilots to undergo specialized training for operating other advanced Russian-made fighters, including the forthcoming Sukhoi Su-35s.

The Yakovlev Yak-130 is known for its design simplicity and high reliability, featuring an advanced aerodynamic configuration, including a swept wing and leading-edge flaps. It is the first Russian aircraft to incorporate all-digital avionics, with an open-architecture system. Powered by two Al-222-25 turbojet engines, the Yak-130 can carry a diverse combat load, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, guided bombs, and rocket pods.

The Sukhoi Su-35, categorized as a 4th-generation multirole fighter, is an evolved version of the Su-27 Flanker model. Recognized for its improved avionics, radar, and weaponry systems, the Su-35 is designed to perform effectively in both long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, with its maximum speed of Mach 2.25, a service ceiling of 20,000 m, and an operational range of 3,600 km. Equipped with an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, the Su-35 can concurrently track and engage multiple targets, contributing to its situational awareness and combat efficiency.

The Su-35 is armed with a diverse array of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, including the R-77 (AA-12 Adder) air-to-air missile, Kh-31 (AS-17 Krypton) anti-ship missile, and Kh-59 (AS-18 Kazoo) standoff missile, showcasing its adaptability to various mission requirements. Demonstrating its capabilities in combat operations in Syria and being exported to several nations, the Su-35 is recognized for its functional role in the Russian Air Force.

The third element of the procurement, the Mil Mi-28 attack helicopter, recognized as the 'Night Hunter' or designated as "Havoc" by NATO, is specifically designed for all-weather, day-night military operations with a focus on an anti-armor role. Produced by Rostvertol PJSC, the Mi-28 accommodates a two-person crew and possesses a maximum take-off weight of 12,100 kg. It has found applications in various military forces. Equipped with a 30 mm 2A42 cannon and compatible with diverse missile systems, the Mi-28 serves as a versatile platform capable of mine-laying using the KMGU-2 container. Having been operational since 2009, this helicopter has been actively engaged in combat operations, including missions in Syria.