>>64508349
>the modern jets they could buy instead?
What modern jets could they buy instead? The USA was pissed off at them due to the hostage crisis and the Soviets didn't wanna sell to ideological Jihadis either. Post Cold War Russia had less ideological hang-ups, but the windows of opportunity was limited due to the GWOT, the sanctions Iran ate cause of nukes/terrorism. And now Russia can't really afford to export a lot of Fighter Jets or SAMs due to certain happenings.
I think you're also forgetting that unlike the Pakistan, the Iranian Air-Force (entire regular military the Artesh really) are considered little bitch boys compared to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in terms of funding. So I wouldn't expect the ayatolah to fork over the money needed for Chinese J-10s and AWACS even if that was an option.
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>>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.
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.