Iran has been looking to buy military craft from many countries over some years. Their military aircraft have been ageing and was getting difficult to maintain those aircraft. On Sunday, Iran finalised a deal to buy Fighter jets from Russia.
The deal was confirmed by the Iranian Broadcaster. On the other hand, Russia has not confirmed the fighter jet deal.
Iran confirmed the purchase of Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets from Russia. The Iranian aviation experts did the technical inspection of the aircraft. They approved the Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets for the Iranian military. Therefore, Iran finalised the deal.
Western experts and diplomats are looking at these deals and the deepening military relationship between the two countries closer. Last week, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned about the closeness between the two countries in Israel.
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The Deeping of Russia – Iran Diplomatic relationship
The ties between Russia and Iran have deepened since Putin came into power. Putin has visited Iran on multiple bilateral and diplomatic visits.
The deal has shocked the western world, especially USA. The sanctions on Iran for buying conventional weapons were removed in 2020 after UN Resolution 2231.
Since the late 1970s, The USA and Iran share a hostile relationship. The failure of the Iran Nuclear deal ( JCPOA) also created a rift between the two countries. Since Iran’s Nuclear Programme has doubled the speed.
Currently, Russia and Iran are both under heavy sanctions by the USA. Therefore, this makes Russia and Iran partners or friends. Russia – Iran has a common enemy to deal with sanctions.
Reversing the Western technology
Currently, Russia and Iran are both under heavy sanctions by the USA. Therefore, this makes Russia and Iran partners or friends. They have a common enemy.
According to sources, Russia has been supplying many western military weapons found on the battleground of Ukraine. Western weapons are supplied so that Iran can reverse-engineer the technology. Therefore, Iranian experts can understand and analyse the technology to be used to make their weapons.
The reports in 2018 also suggested that Iran also started the manufacturing of locally-designed Kowsar fighters to be used for military purposes. It is said that these fighters are the exact copy of USA F5 fighter jets.
Iran has been accused of reverse engineering in the Early 1970s. Iran created an anti-tank missile named Toophan which was an exact copy of the American BGM-71 TOW missile.
Iran’s involvement in Russia – Ukraine crisis
The Diplomatic relationship between Iran and Russia deepen more after Russia – Ukraine crisis. Iran has been accused of helping Russia in the crisis. Ukraine also accused Iran of supplying and helping Russia with weapons like Shahed-136 kamikaze drones. Last year, these drones were used by Russia to attack Ukrainian civilians.
Iran responded to Ukrainian allegations that the drones were supplied before the invasion of Ukraine. Even Moscow denied the allegations of using the Shahed-136 kamikaze drones.
Therefore, the deal of fighter jets between Russia – Iran did not come as shock. But, the details of the deal are not out yet. There is no confirmation on how many Fighters jets Iran has purchased and what is the time of the delivery.
