Report: Iran considers Russian arms deal

MOSCOW, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Iran may procure Russian military fighters, helicopters and other equipment in an arms deal that could be worth more than $8 billion, according to a news report.

Russia's state-owned Sputnik News said the possible deal was reported by the Kommersant newspaper, which quoted unidentified sources.

"Tehran has already sent a list of military hardware that Iranian Armed Forces would like to purchase from Moscow," the daily newspaper said.

The list reportedly includes Sukhoi Su-30SM multi-role fighters, the Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft, Mil Mi-8 and Mil Mi-17 transport helicopters, the K-300P Bastion-P mobile coastal defense missile system, frigates and diesel-electric submarines.

The Su-30 has a speed of about 1,320 miles per hour at altitude and a range of 1,620 nautical miles at altitude.

Tehran, according to Kommersant, could also ask Moscow's help in repairing Iran's fleet of the Mikoyan MiG-29s, Sukhoi Su-24MKs and submarines.