(VIDEO) Su-57 Makes Surprise Stop in Iran, Giving Iranian Military an Exclusive Close-Up of Russia’s 5th-Gen Fighter

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) –In a rare and unexpected turn of events, senior Iranian military officials were granted an up-close encounter with Russia’s cutting-edge Su-57 Felon stealth fighter after the Russian fifth-generation fighter jet made a refueling stop at a military base in Bandar Abbas, Iran, en-route returning to Russia from its high-profile showcase at Aero India 2025.

Videos of the Su-57, piloted by renowned Russian test pilot Sergey Bogdan, taking off from a military air base in Bandar Abbas, Iran after refueling have been widely circulated on social media.

The Russian fighter jet was accompanied by a support crew traveling in a Russian military transport aircraft, following its participation in Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru.

The event also featured the U.S.-made F-35 Lightning II, though the American fifth-generation fighter was limited to a static display.

During its time in India, the Su-57 Felon captivated aviation enthusiasts, impressing audiences with its aerial maneuvers and stealth capabilities, while the F-35 remained grounded for static exhibition.

According to Iranian military observers, this is the first time a Russian Su-57 has landed in Iran.

The stealth fighter’s unexpected stopover occurred due to the recent fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which rendered Russia’s Khmeimim Air Base in Syria unavailable for transit operations.

Previously, Russian combat aircraft would refuel and resupply at Khmeimim Air Base before continuing their flights to Russia or other destinations.

With that option no longer viable, the Su-57 was forced to refuel in Iran, inadvertently giving Tehran an exclusive first-hand glimpse at Russia’s most advanced fighter jet.

The unexpected arrival of the Su-57 in Iran comes at a time when Tehran is eagerly awaiting the delivery of Russian Su-35 fighter jets—a deal that has sparked significant international scrutiny.

Although some reports suggest that Iran has already received its first batch of Su-35s, Iranian officials have remained tight-lipped on the details.

For the first time, a senior official from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) recently confirmed that Tehran has acquired Sukhoi Su-35 (Flanker-E) fighters from Russia—a significant step toward modernizing Iran’s aging air force.

The confirmation came from Ali Shamdani, Deputy Coordinator of Iran’s Khatam-ol-Anbia Central Headquarters, who disclosed the acquisition in an interview with Student News Network, a statement later reported by Reuters.

However, Shamdani did not reveal the exact number of Su-35s obtained or whether all aircraft have been delivered.

In November 2023, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported that Tehran had finalized preparations to acquire Russian fighter jets, signaling a major shift in the region’s military landscape.

Just last month, Defence Security Asia reported that Iran’s Su-35s will officially enter service in the Iranian Air Force this year, according to sources cited by Iran Observer on social media platform X.

The Sukhoi Su-35, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter, is set to redefine Iran’s air combat capabilities, providing a significant boost to an air force long crippled by decades of sanctions.

Currently, the most advanced fighters in Iran’s Air Force are MiG-29s, acquired decades ago, alongside aging American-built F-4 Phantoms and F-14 Tomcats, purchased before the 1979 Iranian Revolution during the rule of the Shah of Iran.

According to German aviation publication Flugrevue, Iran received its first two Sukhoi Su-35SE fighters on November 18, 2023.

The report claims that the aircraft were discreetly handed over during a private ceremony at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur (KnAAPO) aircraft manufacturing facility in Russia’s Far East region.

To avoid detection, the two Su-35 fighters were disassembled into several parts and transported aboard a Russian Air Force Antonov An-124-100 strategic airlifter to Mehrabad Airport in Tehran.

Upon arrival, the aircraft were moved to an Iranian Air Force base in Hamadan, where they were reassembled and prepared for operational service—marking Iran’s first-ever possession of a 4.5-generation fighter jet.

Reports suggest that Iran plans to replace its F-14 Tomcats, stationed in Isfahan, with the Su-35SE.

Contrary to earlier reports of 24 Su-35s, new intelligence suggests that Iran could receive up to 50 units, making it one of the largest Su-35 operators outside Russia.

The arrival of these cutting-edge fighter jets is expected to reshape Iran’s aerial combat strategy, significantly bolstering its air defense capabilities amid growing tensions in the Middle East.

– DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA