Iran to Purchase Sukhoi-30 Fighter Jets From Russia

Iran will sign a contract with Russia for the purchase of Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, Iran’s defense minister said Wednesday

In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, center left, visits a defense industry display while listening to explanation of a military official in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014. AP Photo/Mohammad Berno, Iranian Presidency Office

TEHRAN, Iran—Iran will sign a contract with Russia for the purchase of Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, Iran’s defense minister said Wednesday.

In comments published on the ministry of defense website, Gen. Hossein Dehghan did not specify how many fighter planes Iran will buy, or give a timeline for the signing of the deal. However, he said that under the agreement Iran would also be involved in the production of the aircraft.

Iran needs to “seriously focus on the air force and fighters,” he said. “We are moving toward a contract. We told them that we need to be involved in the production (of the plane) as well.”

A Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet is displayed in Zhuhai, China, on Nov. 10, 2014. Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images