A senior Iranian lawmaker has announced that the country has received a shipment of Russian-made MiG-29 fighter jets, with more advanced Sukhoi Su-35 fighters and sophisticated air defense systems set to arrive gradually. Abolfazl Zohrevand, a member of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, confirmed the deliveries, signaling a significant and long-awaited upgrade to Iran's aging air force.
In a statement reported by the news site Didbaniran, Zohrevand specified that the recently arrived MiG-29 jets are currently stationed in Shiraz and serve as a "short-term solution" for the country's immediate defense needs. He elaborated that the more capable Su-35 fighters, considered a 4.5-generation aircraft, represent a "long-term" strategic enhancement and will be integrated into the air force over time. This phased approach suggests a comprehensive plan to modernize Iran's aerial combat capabilities.
The modernization effort extends beyond fighter aircraft. Zohrevand also revealed that Iran is acquiring advanced surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems to create a more robust air defense network. He stated that the Chinese-made HQ-9 system is being delivered in substantial quantities, and that the highly sought-after Russian S-400 Triumf air defense system is also part of the procurement plan. The acquisition of the S-400 and HQ-9 would provide Iran with a multi-layered defense shield capable of engaging a wide range of aerial threats, from drones to stealth aircraft and ballistic missiles.
Explaining the strategic impetus behind these acquisitions, Zohrevand emphasized that a strengthened military posture is crucial for Iran's diplomatic influence on the world stage. "When we have these, our enemies understand the language of power," he said. He suggested that this military strength was a key factor in recent diplomatic dealings, referring to it as a "victory card" for Iran in countering international pressure tactics.
For decades, international sanctions have severely limited Iran's ability to purchase modern military hardware, forcing it to rely on a fleet of aging American, Chinese, and Soviet-era aircraft, many of which date back to before the 1979 revolution. The deepening military-technical cooperation with Russia gives Tehran a critical opportunity to replace obsolete equipment and enhance its defensive and offensive capabilities in an increasingly volatile region.
The Importance of the Time Frame
The timing of these military acquisitions is critically important, as they come just months after the first-ever direct military conflict between Iran and Israel. That unprecedented exchange, which involved a massive Iranian drone and missile barrage on Israel and a subsequent retaliatory Israeli strike, exposed key aspects of each nation's military capabilities and vulnerabilities.
While Iran demonstrated its long-range strike capacity, its air force played a negligible role, and its air defenses were put to the test. The arrival of advanced Russian and Chinese systems shortly after this "shadow war" broke into the open is no coincidence. It represents a direct strategic response to the lessons learned from that conflict. The acquisition of the S-400 and Su-35 aims explicitly to close the technological gap with rivals like Israel, whose air force enjoys regional superiority. These systems are designed to counter the very stealth aircraft and advanced munitions that Iran would face in a future confrontation, thereby strengthening its deterrent posture and fundamentally altering the strategic balance in the Middle East.
Photo: Gemini AI