>>63910115
Because non-totally obsolete(and flyable) fighters are part of a an effective multi-layered air-defense network. They're probably also looking to buy Chinese SAM systems to. Based on how the Pakistani's used both moderately well against India.

The retarded part is that panic buying more modern shit only after you get BTFO'ed is a god awful strategy. And it ignores that the entire regular Iranian military (the Artesh) is horrifically underfunded compared to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. It turns out that letting your Praetorian Guard play at being JSOC and missile command is pricey, and doesn't leave much for actual conventional warfare.