Iran looks set to
sign a deal to purchase Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker fighters as it
upgrades its military forces following the nuclear deal, which cleared the way
for sanctions to be lifted on Tehran. Iranian defense minister Brig. Gen.
Hossein Dehghan is set to visit Moscow on February 16 to discuss the potential
fighter buy, as well as to discuss deliveries of the Almaz-Antey S-300 air and
missile defense system.
“Minister Dehgan will also discuss the delivery of Su-30 airplanes
because the Defense Ministry believes the Iranian Air Force needs this type of
plane. We’ve moved far in these discussions of purchases and I think that
during the upcoming visit a contract will be signed,” an Iranian defense
ministry source told the Russian State-run media outlet.