Iran's New Su-35 Fighter Jets: What This Means for the Region

Reports are that the Iran air force has added a number of the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets in his force. Tehran is modernizing its military because of growing tensions between the Islamic republic and Israel. What does this deal mean, exactly, and what are the ramifications for the Middle East balance of power? Lets find out

Why the Su-35?

The Su-35 is a generation 4.5 fighter jet with advanced technologies and combat capabilities. It is a single-seat, twin-engine aircraft for air superiority-it can dominate in dogfights and strike ground targets with precision.

Key features include:

High-Power Radar: Su-35's Irbis-E radar is able to detect targets from 400 km and track several targets at the same time.

Super Maneuability: This was enabled by the thrust-vectoring engines, hence enabling it to make sharp turns and maintain control even at very high speeds.

Versatile Weapons: It can carry both air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and said to be a multi-role fighter.

For Iran, which is forced to retain outdated U.S. F-14s and Russian MiG-29s, the Su-35 represented a big generational leap forward. It was a step on the path toward closing the gap with more advanced air forces across the region.

Iran-Russia Military Relations

The Su-35 deal underlines the growing military partnership between Iran and Russia. Both countries fall under the grip of Western sanctions, added to geopolitical pressures, driving them closer toward each other. Earlier, Iran supplied Russia with drones for the Ukraine conflict. Now, as part of the reciprocation, Russia is supplying Iran with advanced military hardware that includes the Su-35.

Reports say that Iran has already taken delivery of two Su-35s, with more in the pipeline. Iranian pilots have been training on these jets since early 2022, an indicator that the integration process is well underway.

How Does This Affect Israel?

The Israeli air force is among the most advanced globally and is also equipped with a fleet of F-35 stealth fighters. The Su-35 is indeed capable but not a stealth platform, and thus is not well set up against Israel's F-35s. In addition, Israel's air force has acquired decades of combat experience and enjoys very strong support from the U.S.

But the Su-35s could still prove to be a challenge. They may be deployed to defend Iranian interests in Syria or to forestall possible strikes by Israel on Iran's nuclear facilities. However, in an open fight, Israel's advantage in technology and training would ultimately win.

The Bigger Picture

Tradition- and history-wise, the Iranian military strategy was directed to asymmetric warfare-drones, ballistic missiles, and militant proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas-forward as a bulwark against stronger foes. The Su-35s just add a fresh layer; they will not drastically change the dynamic.

In the short term, this sale of Su-35s is more symbolic than a game-changer. But it does reflect how keen Iran is to press ahead with the modernization of its military, despite stringent sanctions and isolation. It illustrates the rapidly warming relationship between Tehran and Moscow, a partnership that might have far-reaching consequences in the Middle East.

What's Next?

That would mean regional tensions could increase, with Iran continuously upgrading its air force. The deployment of such new jets by Iran will be closely monitored by Israel and its allies. On the other side, other regional states may want to upgrade their defenses, too, which may lead to an arms race.

About one thing there is little doubt: the Middle East is a very volatile region, and the involvement of state-of-the-art weapons like the Su-35 does not create a better situation.