According to this
Forbes article which was written in 2015 but updated in 2022 is still pertinent today (3 years later) since we haven't seen any progress yet. I won't copy/paste the entire article but reading certain pertinent paragraphs, one can kind of understand what the issue is at hand for why Iran hasn't and isn't buying any new fighters, specifically Russian & Chinese which are really the only available ones as far as "new" aircraft. But I actually have some ideas for other options that Iran has that could make a substantial difference in raising the potency of the IRIAF. One of them I'll list at the end could be quite worthy. You can click on the title below for the link to the full article if interested in reading the entire thing.
Updated Jun 18, 2022, 04:52pm EDT
This article is more than 3 years old.
So according to the fella from Forbes who wrote this, things are starting to make more sense as to why we're not seeing either the Su-30SMs or Su-35Ss or even Chinese J-10Cs. Even Pakistani J-17 Thunders are effectively off the market.
There's no question that the sanctions have had a profound impact on not only Iran's purchase power, i.e. having the funds but also the political influence from namely the United States which has yielded its tremendous power to basically threaten those who could supply Iran with new fighter jets and for what? Unfortunately, we all know the reason being the bloody, filthy, cancerous zionist entity. Why the US bends over backwards to protect that pile of worthless scrap which offers ZERO return to the United States and the American people is a whole other ballgame, but let's leave that aside for now.
So basically, the sanctions haven't allowed Iran to maximize its oil (or other domestic) export revenues so it can enrich itself and be able to afford large military purchases, especially enough fighter jets to make a difference. In a nutshell that's the plain reason why we haven't seen the Su-30SM and/or Su-35S so far.
But what about China and the J-10C? Why can't Iran buy 3 squadrons of that rather reasonably priced fighter and augment its aged fleet of MiG-29s? Or keep those and definitely replace a bunch of F-5s? Well, according to Forbes it's because Iran is trying to use straight up oil to trade for jets, but China isn't interested in oil. It has its own source which it doesn't wish to change and would much rather have straight up cash so that's that.
The same applies to Pakistan and the J-17 Thunder. Being a JV aircraft with China and the high probability that the US has applied TREMENDOUS pressure on Pakistan to not even think about selling the aircraft to Iran, coupled with whatever China's incentive in the JV would entail, that platform is brushed aside as well.
I think that now this (not that we kinda already didn't really know all of this but this makes it clearer to everyone) pretty much explains -- in simple & condensed terms -- why we haven't seen the rumored Su-30SMs and particularly the Su-35Ss come to Iran. It also answers the Chinese J-10C and possibly the only one other option in the JF-17 from also being options to the IRIAF. Knowing these facts, it's quite understandable why this is happening, right? It's a supremely difficult position to mitigate having so much working against you and your interests from not only making money but being allowed to buy certain projects. It's absolutely ridiculous and frustrating AF but at least we can come to terms with this reality.
So, what's left, or what's the next step? Any of you fellas have any good ideas?
If you look around in certain unique situations, I've found that a GREAT option would be the MiG-31. This doesn't need to replace any of the current platforms in the IRIAF or be some great new purchase but boost the IRIAF because of the MiG-31's mission parameters and capabilities as well as its weapons systems which interestingly enough, looking at Iran's domestic missile technology, it could weaponize the 31 with weapons similar Russian ordinances such as the Kinzhal and R-37M.
Granted Russia probably won't give up any of its MiG-31s since it needs them and they're doing an amazing job for Russia in Ukraine, knocking down drones left & right, blasting Kinzhals at Ukrainian infrastructure and even intercepting a US Gobal Hawk drone. That right there would allow Iran to stretch and defend beyond just its secured territory considering the tremendous, unmanned assets the United States possesses and undoubtedly uses over & against Iran. So where can it get MiG-31s? The answer is Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan and Iran have maintained cordial relations since Kazakhstan gained independence from the Soviet Union and has aided Iran in particular through oil swap deals, which have allowed the Islamic Republic to avoid sanctions.
During Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Tehran in June 2022, the two countries agreed to
boost trade and economic cooperation.
Kazakhstan inherited 45 MiG-31s from the USSR. Of those 45, 15 were B models. A majority of the rest were earlier standard built MiG-31s. One squadron is active at 610th Airbase, Karaganda with several MiG-31s in storage there. Additional MiG-31s are in storage at Semey and
offered for sale. I don't know how many there are exactly; I will research more and find out but for now, let's assume there's at least 10 - 12 which IMO would be a rather wise strategic purchase since it will enhance Iran's ability to not only intercept at supersonic speeds, but project power beyond its territory which as we all know, would be an additional valid threat to a certain enemy. I would certainly explore this option.
Kazak MiG-31s.
View attachment 52639
View attachment 52636
View attachment 52637
View attachment 52638
And with Iran's indigenous ballistic & cruise missile technology, it could adapt a current heavy weapon to simulate the Russian Kinzhal which would instantly raise the threat level to any current & potential 'enemies'.
View attachment 52640
And with its max speed of Mach 2.83 and ability to carry the R-37M (which Iran could very well find a way to either obtain it or license-build it or any other long-range variant), it would be a lethal interception asset, not to mention carry other lethal anti-ship weapons as well.
Carrying 4 R-37Ms.
View attachment 52641
It's not as super sexy as having 3 squadrons of gorgeously lethal Su-30SMs or Su-35Ss or J-10Cs, even JF-17 Thunders, but it'll serve a specific and essential role and be lethal at it and automatically raise the potency of the IRIAF. I think it would be a great addition.
