Show News has learned that Russia's Rosoboronexport(ROE) is close to signing a defense order with Iran that may be the largest in more that three decades. A number of advanced Russian systems have been on the Iranian shopping list for some time, including the Almaz-Antei S-300 series of long-range SAMs, and Iran is in desperate need of finding substitutes for its fleet of 1970s-era American fighters.

The centerpiece of this sale is reportedly an order for 250 Sukhoi SU-30MK fighters, the largest order ever made at any one time for this aircraft. It is unclear what the configuration of the aircraft would be, however. Recently, Irkut delivered its first SU-30MKM versions of the aircraft to Malaysia - an "Islamic" version based on the Indian Air Force's Su-30MKI sans its Israel Kit.

But this variant of the aircraft contains European content from Thales and others, and it is unclear that the French avionics maker would do business with the Iranians while Tehran refuses to halt its uranium enrichment program. In the past, Thales officials have declined to discuss other military business with Iran, such as an upgrade program for the IRIAF's Mikoyan MiG-29 fleet.

Iran had been interested in a licensed production agreement to manufacture the MiG-29 and Tupolev Tu-334 and had close to signing a deal, but negotiations reportedly collapsed over constantly shifting demands by the Iranian side. Sukhoi and its associated production plants, KnAAPO and Irkut, have a good deal of experience in setting up a licensed assembly agreements. Also, over the past ten years or more, ROE has continued to mantain good relations with Iran - positioning itself for just this kind of sales opportunity.

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The first six of Algeria’s order for 16 Yak-130s will be delivered next year with the balance of 10 following in 2009. The Russian Air Force has a contract to take 12 Yak-130s so far while Demchenko says the Russian Ministry of Defence has a commitment for a further 60 of the type. Demchenko estimates there is a market demand for some 1,200 combat trainers up to 2025 and believes the Yak-130 can capture at least 100-180 of these.

As the show started, the first two Su-30MKM multi-role fighters for the Malaysian Air Force were dispatched to the south-east Asian state. Irkut is producing 28 of the type for Malaysia. A slightly modified version of the aircraft, the Su-30MKI, is being produced for the Algerian Air Force. It will receive 12 fighters shortly and a further six by year-end, says Demchenko.

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These news are interesting. i'm not getting official statments anywhere, but the fact is the same happened, for Venezuela, Syria, Algeria etc.

And it makes sense, i always questioned myself why Iran is not buying one of the most dangerous fighters in the world with huge capabilities.

Probably big pressures from some known states, the nuclear case, etc.

But with the deterioration relations between Russia and US, and the better Russian's position today, is giving Putin space to manouver and oil revenues is giving Iran the money to buy.

Iran already received russian Tor-M systems, have russian submarines, russian fighters, it's time to get the S-300 or the 250 SU-30MK

More "good" news for Bush, if it is the case, his aircraft carriers start to have a lot of no-go zones.

Please note the curious second article, some undisclosed costumers have bought 82 trainer jets, so who is needing so much trainers? it really make me think that the Iran's purchase could be something true.

Comments by FromPortugal