Following the devastating attacks carried out by the Israeli Air Force during Operation “Rising Lion,” and subsequently by the United States, the defensive capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran have been deeply degraded at all levels. Although the focus of the Israeli air campaign, launched in mid-June, was on Iran’s nuclear program facilities, the country’s armed forces’ air defense systems, radars, and combat aircraft were also priority targets. The result, after a campaign lasting more than two weeks, was the destruction of significant capabilities, which Iran is now seeking to rebuild with support from Russia and other occasional allies such as China.

Although there has been no official confirmation, lawmakers in the country have suggested in recent statements that Russia may have transferred an unspecified number of MiG-29 fighters from the Aerospace Forces, while progress continues on the incorporation of the new Sukhoi Su-35S. The latter are intended to replace the U.S.-made F-14 Tomcats inherited from the Shah’s era.

The mention of the MiG-29 transfer—aircraft currently used as second-line fighters by the VKS, while the weight of military operations against Ukraine falls on other platforms such as the Su-35S and Su-34 strike fighters—was made by Iranian lawmaker Abolfazl Zohrevand, a member of the National Security Committee of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the country’s main legislative body.

On this matter, the lawmaker recently stated: “Russian MiG-29 fighters have arrived in Iran and are deployed in Shiraz, while Sukhoi Su-35 aircraft are also on their way,” noting that this serves as a kind of stop-gap solution while the Iranian Air Force proceeds with the incorporation of its first batches of Su-35S fighters from Russia.

As reported for months—and confirmed by regime officials—Iran finalized the purchase of new Su-35S fighters from Russia, the most modern version of the Flanker family in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces, intended to replace the U.S.-made F-14 Tomcats. These aircraft have been targeted by the Israeli Air Force, regardless of their flight condition or whether they were cannibalized airframes left exposed.

The introduction of this platform—one of the most modern produced by aviation plants under the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC)—is no minor development, as it would allow the Iranian Air Force to recover capabilities lost to Israeli airstrikes, while also advancing in a combat aircraft and training renewal program. One of the first steps in this effort was the acquisition of new Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced trainers, which can also serve as light attack aircraft but are primarily used for pilot training and advanced instruction, with many trainees expected to transition to higher-performance platforms such as the Su-35S.

However, to date, despite official announcements, there has been no confirmation backed by images or videos that Russia has begun the much-needed delivery of Su-35S fighters.

The statements made by Abolfazl Zohrevand may suggest that this process is facing delays, given that the main effort of the Russian military-industrial complex is focused on equipping the VKS to replace units lost in operations in Ukraine and to increase readiness levels.

At the same time, the transfer of MiG-29s by Russia confirms that these aircraft—developed in the Soviet era to operate alongside the Su-27 as a duo to counter U.S. F-16s and F-15s—are now relegated to second-line roles and even being gradually withdrawn from service and made available to allies, as in the case of Iran and also North Korea.

Although no specific numbers of aircraft transferred were mentioned, the Iranian Air Force already operates this Soviet/Russian-made fighter, having acquired a small fleet in the late 1980s. Estimates suggest the force operates a fleet of twenty MiG-29s and four twin-seat MiG-29UBs.

Finally, other remarks by the lawmaker should be noted, in which he mentioned that Iran is negotiating with China and Russia to acquire new and advanced air defense systems, specifically the HQ-9 and the modern S-400.

Cover photo: Dmitry A. Mottl.

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