When asked about the purchase of Russian fighters, Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani explained the following to journalists: "We did agree on a purchase at one point, but we realized that we possess the capability to produce these [fighter jets] within our country."
How to respond to this? Why make unnecessary fuss if you really do have an opportunity of the kind? However, Russia itself can do with an extra unit of multi-purpose Su-35s amid its special military operation in Ukraine and US-induced escalation in Syria.
Just a reminder: Iran decided to purchase the 24 aircraft of the kind that Egypt refused when pressed upon by the United States. The deal between Iran and Russia was long negotiated, and Tehran even made a prepayment after signing the contract. The first three Su-35SEs were brought there from Komsomolsk-on-Amur in June this year, with several Iranian pilots also trained to operate those.
The Iranian side’s sudden purchase waiver was reasoned by Russia’s refusal to provide it with manufacturing technology for certain components and mechanisms, supply 12 flight personnel training simulators, and increase the number of jets to 64. This was reported by Iranian journalist Khayal Muazzin, who is close to the Iranian Defense Minister’s inner circle.
In turn, commander of the Iranian Army's Air Force Gen. Hamid Vahedi said Russia wanted to supply aircraft without further maintenance, aviation weapons or spare parts. "Iran seeks independence in military matters," the general added.
Your choice! But do not blame the partner for dishonesty. All of these things have been agreed upon intimately: the Russian side prepares flight and technical personnel for a certain period of time, engages in joint aircraft maintenance, transfers to the partner one or two non-transportable operational kits: engines, mechanisms and spare parts for every 5 or 10 aircraft.
The weapons list was discussed separately, and the Iranian side would have unlikely agreed to purchase aircraft without missiles and bombs all along.
It is also hard to believe that the Iranians have raised the question of acquiring 12 (!) electronic simulators. For those unfamiliar with the topic, these are really expensive and high-tech machines with a leak-tight production. And there has been no need for Iran to demand this number of simulators that are used solely to train Su-35 pilots.
Well, the boss calls the tune, as the saying goes. The Iranians have had full power and authority to welsh on the deal. The question is whether they do have production capabilities for aircraft with similar performance and combat quality? Probably not. Although a recent closely held military exhibition is said to have displayed a promising Iranian-made fighter jet, allegedly exceeding the Russian Su-35 in its flight and combat characteristics.
Let’s wait and see.
You might be wondering why would the Iranians suddenly abandon the Russian aircraft, whereas earlier persistently affirming agreements on concluding the contract? Israel and the United States have closely monitored the deal, and Tel Aviv has even urged a preemptive strike against Iran before it receives the aircraft. And now things have calmed down inexplicably.
The fact is that for about a year, American-Iranian negotiations have been going on in Oman. Officially on Iran's nuclear program. This may be true, but one of the important issues was likely the aviation deal with Russia. After all, as the Israelis and Americans saw for themselves in Syria, Russian Su-35s pose a real threat to the much-hyped F-35s. It was there, in Muscat, that the Americans apparently agreed with the Iranians that in exchange for contract waiver with Russia, the United States would guarantee that Israel abandon aggressive plans against Iran.
One also has to bear in mind that Iran itself features some influential Russian-hostile forces. Even now, it believes that Moscow's delay in selling the S-300 air defense system to Tehran was the reason for the development and production of its own allegedly outperforming Bavar-373 system.
And yet the Syrians have started using the Russian complex against Israeli aircraft, unlike Iranian air defenses. At the same time, the Israelis are cracking down on Iran’s military facilities and transport convoys in that country, and Iranian systems have never been heard to open fire on enemy air targets…
Earlier in the century, leader of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Muammar Gaddafi signed an agreement with President Vladimir Putin to acquire a large consignment of weapons and hardware, including a wide range of air defenses. Upon his return home and coerced by the French leadership, he quit the deal. And France attacked Libya unable to resist the Fifth Republic’s combat aircraft. How it all ended is a well-known fact…
