The New York Times: A surprising increase in the Iranian Air Force capabilities
The New York Times published an analysis that reveals Iran’s development of its air force and preparations for it to receive the Russian Su-35.
The New York Times stated that it relied, in its analysis, on photographs, videos, and satellite images.
One showed a life-size model of the Russian fighter jet.
It was also based on drawings that appeared in a video posted by the Iranian armed forces of a new underground air base, as the drawings of the aircraft that appeared in it resemble the design of the Su-35 aircraft.
The New York Times published satellite images were an air base in a mountainous area in Hormozgan province, southern Iran.
Earlier, the Iranian army had unveiled the first underground military air base, called Oqab 44.
According to information provided by the Iranian army, the base dug deep in the mountains is capable of storing and operating different types of combat aircraft, bombers and drones.
Earlier, the commander of the Air Force in the Iranian army, Brigadier General Hamid Vahidi, confirmed his country’s intention to purchase Su-35 aircraft from Russia, while a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee in the Iranian parliament, Shahriar Heidari, announced that Iran will receive Su-35 fighters from Moscow next March.
The Su-35 is classified among the most dangerous air dominance fighters in the world, and it can destroy all air targets at long range, in addition to being a first-class interceptor fighter.
Last July, the commander of the Iranian army’s ground forces, Brigadier General Kiyomurath Heidari, revealed that the Iranian army made more complex marches, noting that these marches are used in long-distance operations, outside borders, and in reconnaissance, destruction, and combat operations.
In a related context, the commander of the Air Defense Forces in the Iranian army, Brigadier General Ali Reza Sabahi Fard, confirmed that the air defense of the army is in constant progress in the field of defense sciences and within the context of confronting all kinds of threats.
