New videos and images online confirm that Iran has received Russian-made Mi-28NE Havoc attack helicopters. This marks a major boost to Iran’s military power and comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are getting worse.
The delivery happened just as problems in the region are growing. American officials recently said an F-35 fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that was flying too close to the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea. US officials also said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps harassed a US-flagged merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US has been building up its military presence in the area for weeks. President Trump is reportedly thinking about striking Iran in response to the country’s violent actions against protesters last month. However, Trump has also shown interest in talks. According to The War Zone, American and Iranian officials might meet as soon as Friday in Turkey.
Russian hardware gives Iran’s air force a powerful upgrade
This Russian equipment is a huge improvement for Iran’s air force. Right now, Iran mainly uses the AH-1J International Cobra attack helicopter, which they got back in the 1970s when the Shah was in power. Iran has made some changes to these old American helicopters, but they are hard to keep running. The Mi-28 Havoc is much tougher and can carry far more weapons, making it a completely different level of machine.
The Mi-28 is a two-seat helicopter that was first designed before the Soviet Union fell apart. The project stopped in the 1990s but started again later, with the NE version made for export. These helicopters are heavily armed with a 30mm automatic cannon in a turret under the nose. They also have four attachment points on small wings to carry different weapons, including anti-tank missiles and rockets.
If Iran’s helicopters come with the full sensor package, including a radar on top and an infrared camera, this will greatly improve their ability to operate at night and in bad weather. This feature could be very important for defending against foreign ground attacks or dealing with internal threats to the regime. The delivery comes as Trump escalates tensions with new tariffs on countries dealing with Iran.
The exact setup of Iran’s Havocs is still unknown, but the pictures show a partly taken-apart helicopter. The images show the helicopter has a digital camouflage paint job and new engine air filters, which work well for flying in desert conditions.
The pictures from last week appear to have been taken at a hangar owned by Iran’s Pars Aerospace Services Company at Mehrabad International Airport. This company is directly connected to the IRGC and is under sanctions from the United States and other Western countries. The appearance of the Havocs strongly suggests Russia is delivering or plans to deliver other weapons soon.
Despite his threats against the entire country, Trump has also expressed interest in finding a diplomatic solution. Flight tracking data showed at least five Russian Il-76 cargo planes flying from Russia to Iran in January, possibly carrying the Havocs or other military equipment. Russia and Iran have grown closer in recent years as Russia faces isolation over the Ukraine conflict.
Iran is also trying to rebuild its weapons supply with other items, including Su-35 fighter jets and new air defense systems from China. Iran previously received Yak-130 jet trainers in 2023. While evidence shows at least one Havoc is now in Iran, how many the country ordered and when they will be fully operational is still unclear.
Published: Feb 4, 2026 01:53 pm