The first two Sukhoi Su-35SE Flanker-E fighter jets were reportedly delivered to the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) recently.
According to Flugrevue, a private ceremony was held during the handover at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft manufacturing facility (KnAAPO) in Russia's Far East.
A Russian Antonov An-124-100 transport aircraft belonging to the Russian military was used to airlift the two fighter jets disassembled into several parts to Tehran's Mehrabad Airport.
The Su-35SEs' components were brought to an airbase in Hamadan for reassembly upon their arrival in Tehran. Their delivery marked Iran's acquisition of its first 4.5-generation fighter jets.
The Su-35SEs will undergo extensive ground testing to validate systems like engines, flight controls, and weapons integration following the assembly. IRIAF pilots will be able to conduct test flights and familiarizing themselves with the aircraft's capabilities only after these checks.
Given that the Su-35SE represents a significant technological leap over Iran's current fleet, collaboration with Russian experts to ensure proper training for Iranian personnel will likely be included.
Moreover, as reported by Bulgarian Military, in addition to pilot training, ground crews will need to be educated on the maintenance requirements of the Su-35SE. With its advanced radar systems and avionics, the Su-35SE demands high levels of technical proficiency.
A reliable supply chain for spare parts will also be needed since any disruption in availability could severely impact the aircraft's operational readiness.
Su-35SE Flanker-Es delivered to Iran to modernize IRIAF fleet
These fighters are due to modernize IRIAF fleet. The service has relied on aging aircraft since the era of the Shah, prior to his overthrow in 1979 by Ayatollah Khomeini.
Iran hasn't acquired any new fighter aircraft in recent years, excluding a few Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters it bought in the 1990s.
IRIAF currently mainly flies F-14 Tomcat and F-4 Phantom II US-made fighters. Initially, Iran planned to procure Su-35SE jets to replace the F-14 Tomcats based in Isfahan.
However, the number of Su-35 orders was increased from 25 to 50 units.
These additional aircraft will enable IRIAF to gradually phase out some F-4scurrently deployed with the 31st Tactical Squadron in Hamadan.
Iran is due to receive six additional Su-35 jets from Russia in the near future, likely to be stationed at the Hamadan Airbase as previously speculated, Defence Security Asia recently reported.
These Su-35SE fighter jets will reportedly be delivered directly by Russian pilots.
The six jets represent the initial batch of Su-35s, with more expected in the coming months and years.
The EAF had to become the first customer for the Su-35 in the Middle East area, following the signing of a contract in 2018 (not confirmed until May 2020), comprising the delivery of 24/26 aircraft for approximately USD 3 billion. But there are several indications that Egypt is never going to get any Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets. As The Aviation Geek Club contributor and Helion & Company publisher's editor Tom Cooper explained, by side the US pressure - which, certainly enough, was crucial (why should Washington continue providing US$ 3 billion aid to Cairo (incl. about US1.7 billion military aid), if the latter goes buying Russian combat aircraft) - but, word is the Egyptians tested an Irbis-E radar (from the Su-35) against Rafale's ECM-system, and the latter easily overpowered the former.
A deeply modernized Su-27
The Su-35 Flanker is a version of the Su-27 fighter that has been deeply modernized to achieve a significant increase in its combat effectiveness against aerial, ground, and sea-surface targets. The design of the Su-35 incorporates the most successful engineering concepts that previously tested well on the Su-27/Su-30 family of airplanes.
The aircraft combines the qualities of a modern fighter (super-maneuverability, superior active and passive acquisition aids, high supersonic speed and long range, capability of managing battle group actions, etc.) and a good tactical airplane (wide range of weapons that can be carried, modern multi-channel electronic warfare system, reduced radar signature and high combat survivability). According to United Aircraft Corporation, the high combat effectiveness of the Su-35 airplane is achieved through its: