In a surprising turn of events reported by Iranian accounts on February 22, 2025, a Russian Su-57 stealth fighter made an unexpected landing in Iran, diverging from its anticipated route back to Russia via Syria. This rare pit-stop has sparked intrigue, particularly as Iran continues to await the long-anticipated delivery of Su-35 Flanker-E fighter jets from Russia. The Su-57, a fifth-generation stealth aircraft nicknamed the "Felon" by NATO, represents the cutting edge of Russian military aviation technology, boasting advanced stealth capabilities, super maneuverability, and a suite of sophisticated avionics. Its appearance in Iran, even temporarily, underscores the deepening military ties between Tehran and Moscow at a time of shifting regional dynamics and heightened global scrutiny.
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The Su-57’s journey reportedly began after it participated in Aero India 2025, a major airshow held in Bengaluru from February 10 to 14, where it dazzled onlookers with its aerial prowess. Following the event, the aircraft was en route back to Russia when it required a refueling stop. Typically, Russian fighter jets operating in the region have relied on the Khmeimim Air Base in Syria, a strategic hub for Moscow’s military operations in the Middle East. However, the recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024 forced Russia to abandon this facility, leaving its aircraft in need of alternative refueling options. Iran, a steadfast ally, emerged as a logical choice. Unconfirmed reports suggest the Su-57 touched down at the 9th Tactical Fighter Base in Bandar Abbas, operated by the Iranian Air Force. Video footage circulating from the base, showing the sleek jet taking off, has fueled speculation about the significance of this stopover.
This development comes at a pivotal moment for Iran, which has been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Su-35 Flanker-E jets to bolster its aging air force. Negotiations for these 4.5-generation multirole fighters have been ongoing for years, with a deal reportedly finalized in 2023. The Su-35, an advanced derivative of the Su-27 family, offers superior maneuverability, powerful radar systems, and a robust weapons payload, making it a significant upgrade over Iran’s current fleet of outdated American and Russian aircraft, such as the F-14 Tomcats acquired before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Despite the optimism surrounding the Su-35 deal, delivery has remained elusive, with only two of a rumored order of 50 jets arriving by November 2024. The Su-57’s brief presence in Iran, therefore, serves as a tantalizing glimpse of the advanced technology Tehran seeks to integrate into its military arsenal, even if it was not part of the expected transaction.
The Su-57’s stopover highlights the evolving Russo-Iranian relationship, which has intensified since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022. Iran has supplied Russia with hundreds of drones for use in that conflict, and in return, Moscow has provided military hardware, including Yak-130 trainer aircraft delivered in 2023. The refueling of the Su-57 in Iran, potentially the first such instance, underscores this mutual reliance. For Iran, hosting the Su-57—even briefly—demonstrates its growing role as a regional partner to Russia, especially as Moscow recalibrates its Middle Eastern strategy post-Syria. The aircraft’s subsonic range of approximately 3,500 kilometers and supersonic range of 1,500 kilometers necessitated the stop, but the choice of Iran over other potential locations speaks volumes about the trust between the two nations. While the Su-57 departed after refueling, its visit has reignited discussions about Iran’s military modernization ambitions. The Islamic Republic views advanced fighter jets as critical to countering threats from Israel and other regional adversaries equipped with cutting-edge air forces. The Su-35, once delivered in full, would mark a leap forward, but the Su-57 represents an even more ambitious goal—a fifth-generation stealth platform that could theoretically challenge the likes of Israel’s F-35s. However, Russia’s limited production of the Su-57, with only a few dozen units built since its introduction in 2019, suggests that any acquisition by Iran remains a distant prospect. For now, the pit stop serves as a symbolic gesture, reinforcing Tehran’s strategic alignment with Moscow while it continues to await the promised Flankers. As of February 22, 2025, this episode encapsulates both Iran’s aspirations and the complex interplay of military necessity and geopolitics in the region.