Armenia presented a possible boost to its air capability during the Republic Day parade, held on May 28, 2026.
Su-30SM fighter jets flew over the capital Yerevan carrying what specialists identified as Iranian Yasin-class guided bombs. If the identification is confirmed, it will be the first public demonstration that the aircraft have finally received precision weapons after years of operating without adequate offensive capability.
Armenia’s acquisition of the Su-30SM became the target of criticism after it was confirmed that the fighters were purchased from Russia without a missile package. The situation gained prominence after the Nagorno-Karabakh war in 2020, when the aircraft could not be used in combat due to the lack of compatible weapons, raising questions about the Armenian government’s military procurement strategy.
In recent years, Yerevan has sought alternatives to equip its fleet. In addition to negotiations with India for the possible acquisition of Astra missiles and upgrades carried out by manufacturer HAL, Armenia has expanded its military cooperation with Iran. This rapprochement appears to have resulted in the integration of Yasin guided bombs into the Russian fighters.
According to information released by Iranian sources, the Yasin bomb can strike targets up to 120 kilometres away, allowing precision attacks without the aircraft needing to approach enemy air defences. The display of the weapons at the parade reinforces Armenia’s strategy of diversifying military suppliers after 2020, reducing its exclusive dependence on Russia and expanding partnerships with other countries.
All three Armenian Air Force Su-30SM Multirole Fighters were spotted carrying two Iranian-made Yasin guided glide bomb munitions each.
It looks like Armenia bought a lot of stuff from Iran through secret deals that no one had heard about. pic.twitter.com/yyzY5GkJUP
— OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) May 30, 2026
Source: Defence Blog | Photo: YouTube @Suren_Papikyan, Tasnim News Agency | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
