Iran trades 2,000 Shahed kamikaze drones for $40 million for 24 Su-35 fighters worth $2 billion

Iran may soon receive a batch of Su-35 fighters from Russia to replace the Shahed drones. Moreover, we are talking about the planes for Egypt. The sale was disrupted by the United States in 2021.

Here's What We Know

Because of the derailed deal, Russia began looking for a new buyer and found one in Tehran. However, instead of the expected $2 billion, Russia will receive kamikaze drones. To be more precise, it has already started to receive them.

Iran has handed over 1,700 Shahed-131/136 drones to Moscow and will send another three hundred drones in the near future. According to various sources, the cost per one ranges from $7,000 to $20,000.

Even taking the maximum price, 2,000 kamikaze drones cost only $40 million. This is half as much as one Su-35 fighter jet (about $84 million). It is possible that the price difference will be offset by ballistic missiles. Also the deal may include even more drones.

Source: The Times of Israel