In a move to revitalize its aging air force, Iran has reported to have received Russian MiG-29 fighter jets, marking the beginning of a military upgrade that may possibly include advanced aircraft and air defense systems.
Abolfazl Zohrevand, a member of the country’s parliament’s national security committee, said that the jets, currently based in Shiraz, represent a “short-term solution” while Tehran awaits the arrival of more sophisticated Sukhoi Su-35 jets.
The announcement, made through Iran’s Dideban news portal, comes amid a broader influx of Russian and Chinese military hardware into the Islamic Republic. Alongside the MiG-29s, Zohrevant said that Tehran will be acquiring Russia’s S-400 air defense systems and China’s HQ-9 air defense system “in significant numbers.”
“Once these systems are fully in place, our enemies will understand the language of power,” Zohrevand was quoted as saying.
Tehran faces vulnerabilities in their air defense and air force after Israeli strikes during Operation Rising Lion destroyed Russian S-300 batteries and the F-14, F-5 and AH-1 aircraft.
Iran’s air defense network includes Russian-made S-300 PMU2 batteries, indigenous Bavar-373 long-range surface-to-air missiles, Khordad and Sayyad surface-to-air missiles, Arman long-range anti-ballistic missile defense systems and S-200 Ghareh long-range surface-to-air missiles.
The MiG-29s, fourth-generation fighters are not the most advanced in Russia’s arsenal, but represent a significant upgrade for Iran’s aging fleet which largely consists of pre-1979 American aircraft and a handful of Russian and domestically modified platforms.
Their arrival underscores Tehran’s urgency to bolster its aerial capabilities amid high regional tensions.
Israeli defense officials have long warned that the transfer of advanced Russian platforms to Iran could alter the strategic balance in the region. The Su-35, in particular, is seen as a game-changer due to its superior radar, avionics, and maneuverability. While the IDF maintains air superiority through platforms like the F-35I Adir, the introduction of Russian jets into Iranian service could complicate future operational planning.
The timing of the deliveries also raises questions about Russia and Beijing’s calculus.
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