Russia’s Rostec leaks reveal Su-34, Su-35, Su-57 fighter jet sales to Iran, Algeria
October 6, 2025
Screenshots of Russia’s Rostec defence contractor published on 3 October by the hacker collective Black Mirror allegedly show Russia’s fighter jet exports to Algeria, Iran, and Ethiopia. The authenticity of the leak has not been independently verified.
Russia’s alleged Sukhoi fighter jet sales
Black Mirror published 300 documents from Rostec. Of particular interest is what is alleged to be a list of contracts from KRET, which is an electronic warfare and avionics subsidiary of Rosetc.
Confirmation on what I was the first to report on Aug 2022 about the contract between Iran and Russia for the purchase of Su-35 fighters.
— Mehdi H. (@mhmiranusa) October 3, 2025
The contract includes 48 Su-35 fighters for 2026-2028.
H/t: @GeorgeN28581 https://t.co/t7COaylsX7 pic.twitter.com/AubCzgGzNX
That document shows 48 Su-35 fighter jet sales to Iran (listed as “364”), 12 Su-57 and 14 Su-34 fighter jet sales to Algeria (listed as “012”), and six Su-35s for Ethiopia (listed as “231”).
The jets listed for Iran are scheduled to be delivered between 16 and 18 and 46-48 months after the first advanced payments are received. According to Defence Blog, this implies full Iranian deliveries are expected between 2026 and 2028.
Russia’s fighter jet exports have collapsed since the US passed the CAASTA Act in 2017 and China moved on to producing its own more advanced fighters. The document underscores that Russia still has a select few loyal clients. Iran is already sanctioned by the US and will take fighter jets from anywhere it can.
Saga of Iran’s quest for fighter jets
Since the Revolution of 1979, Iran has been cut off from purchasing fighter jets on the international market, although it did receive around 100 Iraqi jets as they fled destruction in the Gulf War.
The Soviet Union also blocked the sale of weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran, fearing it would foment trouble in its Muslim-majority regions in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
In recent years, relations between Russia and Iran have warmed, a trend that accelerated following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In 2024 and 2025, Israel launched air attacks on Iran. Israel quickly destroyed the S-300 SAMs Iran had received, and with Iran lacking modern fighter jets, Israel quickly secured air dominance.
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 21, 2025
The Israeli Air Force just destroyed 3 Iranian F-14 Tomcat fighter jets
In this pace, Iraq will soon have a stronger air force than Iran pic.twitter.com/h6GZRCxUi5
It had been rumoured for some time that Iran was receiving Russian Su-35s, but none were to be seen during Israel’s Operation Rising Lion. Following the campaign, there were signals that Iran might turn to China for fighter jets (like the J-10) and air defence.
More recently, The Jerusalem Post reported that Russia has rushed old legacy MiG-29s to Iran as a stopgap. It is unclear if or when those 48 Su-35s will be delivered to Iran and if circumstances have changed.
Algeria, Russia’s most loyal export customer
Algeria fought a long and bloody war for independence with France in the 1950s, and its relations with the West have been tense ever since. This is aggravated by its arms race with Western-supported Morocco. Spending around 8% of GDP on its military annually, Alergia is one of the most militarised countries in the world.
Military Africa in August 2025, said that Morocco could be the next country to sign a deal to order the advanced F-35 stealth fighter.
Algeria is one of the few customers that appears to remain loyal to Russia despite CAASTA sanctions. It is also the only export customer to have ordered Russia’s over-hyped and troubled Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet.
Morocco is reportedly set to secure F-35s – a direct counter to Algeria’s Su-57 fleet.
— International Defence Analysis (@Defence_IDA) February 26, 2025
Not only is Washington expected to grant Morocco permission to purchase the advanced fighter jets, but the acquisition is also reportedly receiving strong support from Israel. pic.twitter.com/utFVJdAZHx
In April 2025, The War Zone (TWZ) reported that Su-35s that had been intended for Iran were instead in Algeria. According to the leaked document, Algeria has ordered 14 Su-34 fighter/bombers. It’s unclear if they are also receiving those Su-35s reported by TWZ.
Ethiopia’s apparent order for six Su-35s is unclear, with OSINT account George N. calling it “outdated.”
