01.Background:
According to the Global Times on November 29, 2023, Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Mehdi Al-Falahi confirmed that Iran is about to welcome RussiaSu-35 fighter jets, Mi-28 Attack*** and Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft。This has undoubtedly injected new vitality into Iran's military power and further strengthened the strategic cooperative relationship between the two countries.
According to reports, Iran has ordered about 20 Su-35s and plans to purchase 60 more. In addition, Iran's Mi-28 Attack*** contract with Russia will also significantly boost its military potential. This armament*** can carry up to 16 anti-tank missiles. Some analysts have pointed out that after Iran receives the Su-35, Iran's current air force combat capability will be greatly enhanced, and at the same time, it will also change the balance of military power in the region. After that, any country that wants to bomb Iranian military facilities and air defense systems will face great difficulties.
This was a milestone in the history of the Iranian Air Force, with the introduction of a fighter of three and a half generations for the first time. The addition of this new fighter is of immeasurable significance for enhancing the combat effectiveness of the Iranian Air Force and enhancing its national defense strength.
02.About the Su-35 fighter and the Yak-130 presentation
The Sukhoi Su-35, a Raptor soaring in the blue sky, has become a bright star in the international aviation community with its streamlined fuselage and strong combat effectiveness. As a masterpiece carefully built by the Russian Sukhoi Design Bureau, the Su-35 fighter not only inherits the excellent bloodline of the Su-27 in aerodynamic shape, but also achieves a qualitative leap in the avionics system and equipment.
NATO's code name "Flanker-E" or "Super Flanker" is undoubtedly the best affirmation of its excellent performance. And when we take a closer look at this fighter, we will find that behind its power, there are countless efforts and wisdom of designers.
While inheriting the excellent aerodynamic layout of the Su-27, the Su-35 fighter has undergone a comprehensive upgrade of the fuselage structure, engines and avionics system. The design of twin engines and double vertical tails makes it as stable as a rock in aerial combat; And it is equipped with a vector engine, which allows it to show unparalleled maneuverability in the air.
In addition, the Su-35's avionics system and equipment have reached the world's top level, and its radar detection, fire control system and electronic warfare capabilities are all excellent. Whether it's hand-to-hand combat or long-range air combat, it can handle with ease and show excellent combat performance. Like an all-round warrior, the Su-35 is invincible in the field of air combat.
In the field of world fighters, the Su-35 fighter is firmly on the throne of the first and a half fighters with its excellent performance and advanced technology. Its appearance has not only enhanced the overall strength of the Russian Air Force, but also set a new benchmark in the international aviation community.
At present, the Su-35 fighter has undergone the baptism of actual combat and plays a pivotal role in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. According to reports, the aircraft successfully shot down a Ukrainian Air Force aircraft at a distance of about 200 kilometers using the R-37M long-range air-to-air missile.
The Yak-130 advanced training aircraft, from the hands of the Russian Yakovlev Design Bureau, is a twin-engine jet training aircraft. This trainer aircraft is not only suitable for the training of third-generation and *** fighter pilots, but also has the performance of an attack aircraft. It has a maximum bomb load of up to 3 tons and has 9 pylons, which can carry all kinds of **, including air-to-air missiles, rocket launchers and guided bombs. At present, Vietnam, Belarus, Algeria and other countries have purchased and equipped this higher education aircraft, and the total number of export orders has exceeded 70.
The current situation of Iranian Air Force warplanes
At present, the Iranian Air Force is equipped with fighter jets like a big family, divided into two major factions. On the one hand, there are old American-made fighters left over from the Pahlavi era, such as the F-14A, F-4D E and F-5E F, which occupy a pivotal position in the Iranian Air Force. On the other hand, there are Soviet-Russian and Chinese-made fighters purchased during the Cold War, including MiG-29A UB, Su-22 and Su-24MK fighter-bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft, and J-7 light fighters, which are the right-hand men of the Iranian Air Force.
Since 2000, the Iranian Air Force has acquired only 17 domestically copied F-5E F light fighters, which is undoubtedly a new blood injection into this big family. These new fighters were changed to V-shaped double vertical tails on the basis of the original single vertical tail, which was known as the "thunderbolt". Although this "Thunderbolt" fighter was developed on the basis of the F-5E F, military expert Han Dong pointed out that it is still at the level of the second generation, lacking advanced airborne radar and **. It is neither capable of carrying active radar-guided medium-range air-to-air missiles, nor is it equipped with semi-active radar-guided medium-range air-to-air missiles.
However, Russian military expert Alexander Musiyenko is optimistic about the prospects for the Iranian army. In his opinion, it will be good news that Russia will arm Iran with Su-35 fighters and Mi-28 fighters. This will greatly enhance the capabilities of the Iranian military and further strengthen the cooperation between the two countries in the military field. For the Iranian Air Force, this is undoubtedly a leap forward and injects new vitality into its future development.
04.What does it mean for the Iranian Air Force
The purchase of Su-35 and other fighters has the following significance for the Iranian Air Force:
1.Make up for the lack of old equipment: Most of the fighters of the Iranian Air Force are old equipment, and the purchase of modern fighters such as the Su-35 can help the Iranian Air Force make up for the lack of existing equipment and improve its combat capability.
2.Upgrading the level of modernization: The Su-35 fighter is the best fighter with advanced radar, advanced radar and maneuverability. For the Iranian Air Force, which has not received a new third-generation fighter for almost 20 years, the introduction of the Su-35 can significantly increase its level of modernization.
3.Lessons learned: Lessons learned from the Russia-Ukraine conflict to help the Iranian Air Force improve its combat capabilities and combat technology.
4.Improved air combat capabilities: Su-35 fighters have strong air superiority and are capable of anti-ship and ground attack capabilities. The introduction of the Su-35 can increase the air combat capability of the Iranian Air Force and enhance its defense against enemy military facilities and air defense systems.
5.Changing the Regional Balance of Power: The introduction of Su-35 fighters will greatly enhance the combat capabilities of the Iranian Air Force, which will change the regional balance of power. Attempts by other countries to bomb Iranian military facilities and air defense systems will become more difficult.
05.Summary
For Iran, although the J-10C fighter is excellent, in its heart, the Su-35 fighter is superior. Iran has always had a soft spot for Soviet-style fighters, and its conservative foreign strategic choices favor them. Although the Su-35 is not Russia's most advanced and powerful fighter, its performance surpasses all existing Iranian fighters.
The Sukhoi Su-35 fighter has become a bright star in the international aviation community with its excellent performance, advanced technology and strong combat effectiveness. It is not only the mainstay of the Russian Air Force, but also a banner of the international aviation community, leading the direction of the development of future fighters.
In short, the procurement of modern fighters such as the Su-35 is of historical and strategic significance to the Iranian Air Force, which can enhance its modernization level, combat capability and regional influence.