Tehran and Russian firm Rosoboronexport arms group are about to sign a contract for the sale of 250 Su-30 MKM warplanes and IL-28 tankers. The transaction is Russia's largest in 30 years and will endow Iran with long range air assault capabilities. A Sukhoi can sustain a 4.5 hour raid at a maximum range of 3,000km against long distance marine and low lying ground targets across the Persian Gulf including the Middle East, Lebanon and Israel. This increases to 10 hours and a range of 8,000 km due to air refuelling capabilities. This will elevate Iran's airforce to be the largest and most advanced in the region alongside that of Israel.