Russia has sold Iran more than 300 air-to-air missiles for potential Su-35s
Russia has supplied Iran with at least 327 air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. According to reports, these munitions are likely intended to arm a future fleet of Su-35 fighter jets, which Iran may acquire in the future.
Starting in 2023, the countries began signing contracts for the supply of aviation munitions, presumably to arm Iran’s future fleet of Russian fighter jets, intended to counter American and Israeli attacks.
Among the products identified by the editorial team are several types of missiles:
X-38 missiles
In 2023–2024, on behalf of a foreign customer for the K-10, the Russian machine-building enterprise “Iskra” submitted a request to the federal state-owned enterprise “Perm Powder Plant” (PPP) for the production and supply of components 65DU.S-Sh, 65DU.M-Sh, 65DU.M-V, V-287, 65DU.S-Sh IN, 65DU.M-Sh IN, as well as the assembly of the 65DU.00 product, which is a component of the Kh-38 missile. In total, this involves 120 units.
K-73 Missiles
In 2023, contracts were signed between PPZ and Iskra for the supply of Sh-295 “Variant” units—the warheads of the K-73 missile. In total, this involves 123 units.
K-77 missiles
JSC “Iskra Machine-Building Design Bureau named after I.I. Kartukov” submitted a request to PPZ regarding the production in 2025–2027 of components Sh-328, ISh-328, and V-328, as well as services for the assembly of product 542.U-00, which is part of the K-77 rocket’s engine assembly. In total, this involves 42 units.
X-31 missiles
The Russian plant “Radiopribor” has approached the electronics company “Svetlana-Elektropribor” with a request to manufacture and supply products RROP-5 and M31102 in 2025. These are components of the U505E product, which is manufactured for the X-31E missiles. Deliveries are scheduled on a quarterly basis, with a total of 42 units.
Su-35s for Iran
In March 2023, Iran’s Permanent Mission to the UN announced the completion of a contract with Russia for the purchase of Russian Su-35 fighter jets.
This confirmed earlier information from U.S. intelligence that Russia intends to transfer Su-35 fighters to Iran in exchange for “kamikaze drones” and is already training pilots.
However, it was believed at the time that Iran was seeking 24 fighter jets originally intended for Egypt, which Egypt had rejected after signing the contract, likely due to the threat of U.S. sanctions.
This was reported by UNITED24 Media.
Iran has set a condition for a peace deal with the U.S.
Earlier, Iran launched a missile strike on the Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, where U.S. military personnel and contractors were stationed. The attack resulted in minor injuries among personnel, as well as damage to American drones. The incident occurred amid U.S. attempts to negotiate an extension of the ceasefire with Tehran.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and continues to interact with his inner circle, though he does so cautiously and primarily through written messages and intermediaries. Officials in Washington note that his activity has been increasing recently.
