Ministry of Defense of iran has officially confirmed the receipt of Su-35 multirole fighter jets from the russian federation, observed in the country by eyewitnesses since April. Tehran also disclosed its possession of Mi-28 attack helicopters and Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft. While the Yak-130 in iranian colors was showcased in September, information about the Mi-28 remained limited.
Deputy Defense Minister Mahdi Farahi, quoted by iran's Tasnim News, said more of these russian aircraft are yet to arrive.
Read more: Transfer of Su-35 Aircraft from russia to Iran: Unveiling the Intriguing Puzzle
![Su-35](/media/contentimages/dc06565dfd52570b.jpg)
Although Moscow and Tehran didn't disclose specific figures or delivery timelines, it's estimated that around 24 Su-35 fighters initially manufactured for Egypt, could end up in iran.
Regarding the Mi-28, unofficial information in January 2023 suggested iran and russia had agreed on licensed production of Ka-52 and Mi-28 attack helicopters on iranian factories. The official iranian statement, however, indicates the receipt of a certain number of ready-made Mi-28s from russia. Still, it doesn't rule out that helicopter production will be localized in the future.
![russian Mi-28](/media/contentimages/b1e6565dfe5e3b2b.jpg)
Strengthening aviation, particularly fighter aircraft, is crucial for iran, given its reliance on outdated American-made jets predating even the 1979 revolution, Chinese copies of MiG-21, and Iraqi fighters transferred to iran to shelter from the Coalition in 1991.
The iranian Air Force, on paper, consists of the following aircraft:
- F-5: more than 75 units
- F-4 Phantom: up to 68 units
- F-14: up to 43 units
- F-7M (Chinese MiG-21 copy): 24 units
- MiG-29 (delivered by Iraqi pilots): 35 units
- Mirage F-1 (delivered by Iraqi pilots): up to 10 units
- Su-22 (delivered by Iraqi pilots): about 10 units
- Su-24 (delivered by Iraqi pilots): 29 units
- Su-25 (delivered by Iraqi pilots): 10 units
The actual operational readiness of these aged aircraft remains questionable, though.
As for the helicopter fleet, iran has remnants of AH-1J Cobra (up to 50 units) and an unspecified number of light single-seat HESA Shahed 285s, based on the U.S.-Canadian Bell 206.
![HESA Shahed 285 and AH-1J Cobra in iran](/media/contentimages/9f96565dff694c40.jpg)
In other words, the provision of russian Mi-28 fills the critical gap in attack helicopters with long-range guided weapons, and thus is no less important than the Su-35.
Additionally, the transfer of the Yak-130 offers the potential for converting this trainer jet into a light fighter/attack aircraft, a logical step for iran.
![iranian Yak-130](/media/contentimages/8ce6565e00215108.jpg)
Moreover, further cooperation with russia might give Tehran all it needs to repair and modernize its MiG-29, Su-24, and Su-25, significantly bolstering its air force and shifting the balance of forces in the region. The presence of the Su-35, in particular, complicates any attempts to carry out airstrikes on iran's nuclear facilities.
Read more: russia Tried to Sell Su-35 Fighters to the Middle East, But No One Was Interested in the Offer Yet