Report: Iran expects to purchase Su-35, S-400 during Raisi Russia visit

Raisi is expected to sign a 20-year, $10 billion security and defense cooperation agreement that will potentially include the purchase of a satellite, the report added.

The new pact is seen as an extension of an earlier deal signed in 2001 and automatically renewed every five years. But Tehran slowed down the prolongation in 2020, indicating the need to update the text.

In March 2021, Iran and China signed a 25-year cooperation agreement to strengthen their long-standing economic and political alliance.

The main intrigue of Raisi’s visit to the Russian Federation is the path along which the development of military-technical cooperation (MTC) between Iran and Russia will move.

Tehran expects to purchase at least 24 multi-purpose super-manoeuvrable Su-35 fighter jets.

The seriousness of Iran’s intentions is evidenced by the fact that the Iranian Air Force has already selected three dozen pilots who will learn to fly the Su-35SE. If Moscow and Tehran manage to reach an agreement in January, the preparatory work will begin almost immediately, experts say.

A separate issue is the extension of the service life, repair and modernisation of two dozen MiG-29 and 25 Su-24MK aircraft, which are in service with the Air Force of the Islamic Republic.

At the same time, there is an assumption that the Iranians may request Russian S-400 air defense systems.

Iran’s Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali has stated that the upcoming visit of the Iranian President to Russia will be a turning point in historical relations between the two countries. Raisi will leave for Russia in coming days.