The Russian military journal Military Watch reports that the aircraft manufacturing plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur has completed production of 20 Su-35 fighter jets ordered by Iran. According to the report, Iran's defense ministry is now financing storage and maintenance in Russia, where the jets will remain until transfer. The first Su-35s are expected to arrive in Iran only toward the end of 2026; one reason cited is damage to infrastructure at Iran's Hamadan air base.
A report by the Russian military journal *Military Watch* states that the aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur has completed production of 20 Su-35 fighter jets ordered by Iran. The report indicates that Iran's defense ministry is currently funding the storage and maintenance of the jets in Russia, where they will remain until final delivery. The first Su-35s are not expected to arrive in Iran before the end of 2026, partly due to damage to infrastructure at Iran's Hamadan air base.
The journal's account comes as a single, uncorroborated report, and neither Russia nor Iran has publicly confirmed the details. If accurate, the delivery would mark a significant upgrade for Iran's air force, which operates aging fleets of US-made F-4s and F-14s from the pre-revolution era, alongside Russian and Chinese types. The timeline — delivery only in late 2026 — means no near-term operational impact on Israel's air superiority, but the eventual addition of an advanced fourth-generation fighter would pose new challenges for Israeli planning, particularly in coordination with the US.
As The Zioneer previously reported (June 17), Iran signed a separate memorandum of understanding with Russia for 20 helicopters for its air relief fleet, part of expanding military aviation ties under Western scrutiny. The Su-35 deal, if completed, would represent a far more significant strategic advance.
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