Leaked documents show that Russia is building 16 Su-35 fighter jets for Iran, marking one of the most significant military upgrades Tehran has pursued in decades.
According to a November 28, 2025 report by United24, internal correspondence from Russia’s military-industrial sector confirms that 16 Su-35s designated for Iran are currently under construction. Units subordinate to the Russian Ministry of Defense are overseeing the procurement of the subsystems for the export customer referred to by the codename “K10” — internally used to identify Iran.
The documents further reveal that Iran completed its advance payments in three stages: March 7, July 22, and December 26, 2024. Work on the aircraft has been ongoing since 2024, with Russia planning to finish and deliver them between 2025 and 2027.
The Yuri Gagarin Aviation Plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Russia’s main assembly site for Su-35 fighters, is responsible for producing the Iranian aircraft. Technical specifications require that all jets be configured for export use, able to operate in all weather conditions, and carry English-language markings and data.