Alwaght- The meeting of the defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held on Friday on the Chinese city of Qingdao. From Iran, Defense Minister Aziz Nasir Zadeh attended the meeting and was received warmly by the Chinese officials.
In this meeting, defense ministers of 10 member states including India and Pakistan that were recently engaged in war were present. During the discussions, all sides agreed on improving strategic communications, announcing that they are ready to advance practical cooperation and jointly support regional peace and stability.
The Global Times, a leading Chinese media outlet, wrote after the meeting that "experts believe that the consensus of the defense ministers of the 10 countries reflects their common desire to pursue cooperation and development."
However, the fact that this meeting was held at the same time as NATO leaders gathered in Brussels and amid the increasing instability crisis in West Asia and the Indian Subcontinent led to more attention being paid to its outcomes.
SCO confrontation with the US destabilizing policies
The meeting of the SCO defense ministers took place at a sensitive time in terms of geopolitics and security. The meeting was held at a time when the global atmosphere has become extremely unstable combustible under the influence of the unilateral policies of Washington, especially under Trump. The US decisions, such as withdrawing from international agreements, tightening sanctions on the rivals and trying to isolate various countries, have caused instability at the global level.
In such an environment, the SCO, as a multilateral group focusing on security and economic cooperation, has acted as an anchor of stability. The agreements of this summit reflect the determination of member states to strengthen strategic communication and confront global threats.
In this regard, Chinese defense minister clearly highlighted the need to strengthen the "Shanghai Spirit", which means mutual trust, respect for the sovereignty of member states and the pursuit of common development. In this situation, the SCO can act as an effective factor against the challenges posed by US unilateralism in the global arena.
SCO support to Iran against the US and Israeli aggression
One of the important and sensitive issues in the meeting was the role of Iran as an active member of the bloc. Having been under economic sanctions and military threats of the US and Israel, Iran looks at the SCO as a strategic opportunity to enhance its international position. One of main agendas of the meeting was emphasis on support of the member states to Iran against foreign threats.
In his speech, the Chinese defense minister stressed on the importance of safeguarding the principles of international justice and fairness and called for cooperation among the organization's member states to confront regional security threats. In this regard, Iran, as a key member of the organization, will benefit from the organization's moral and practical support against the aggression of the US and the Israeli regime. Condemning the aggressive and interventionist actions of Washington and Tel Aviv in the region, especially in the context of threats against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities, is a clear message to the world that the bloc as a multilateral institution supports the sovereignty of Iran and other countries in the region.
Possible Iranian military purchases from China
At a time Iran is bolstering its relations with the SCO members, this cooperation can lead to boosting the country's military capabilities, especially in air power and air defense. One possible scenario is Iran buying advanced fighters from China as a strategy to counter the American and Israeli air threats.
In recent days, some unconfirmed reports have said that an Iranian delegation has visited new Chinese fighter jets, such as the Chengdu J-10C, a 4+ generation fighter jet.
In recent 12-day Israeli-Iranian war, Iran’s largely indigenous defense system demonstrated its brilliant capabilities against the regime’s air force, which is equipped with the most advanced American and Western fighter jets, missiles, and satellite radars.
However, currently, the Iranian air force faces shortcomings in effectively countering the Israeli enemy’s air offensive. Years of severe sanctions on the defense industry and the 8-year war Saddam of Iraq waged against Iran in the 1980s have meant that most of the fighter jets in the Iranian air force , such as the F-4D/E/RF, F-14A/AM, F-5E, MIG-29A, and other models, are very old, and upgrading or replacing these fighters is essential to maintaining defense power.
Earlier, Iran had announced it plan to buy from Russia SU-35 fighter jets, but delivery of these jets is yet to be certain. So, buying these fighters from Russia or Chengdu J-10C from China is a proper choice to beef up the county's air power.
Defense analysts believe that if Iran purchases even a small number of 4+ generation fighters, it will be able to greatly complicate the Israeli regime’s air operations near Iran’s borders. These modern fighters with advanced radar and weapons capabilities can significantly increase Iran’s defense capabilities against possible air attacks from Tel Aviv and possibly Washington. Since the new generation fighters operate together by integrating advanced sensors and air defense systems, they can also use the performance of surface-to-air missiles more effectively and efficiently.
Conclusion
Meeting of the SCO defense ministers provides a strategic opportunity for the members, particularly Iran, to boost their positions against global challenges. Given the recent developments and the Israeli-American aggression, Iran can use the multilateral atmosphere to garner military and political support. Tehran's cooperation with the SCO, especially in defense area, can lead to advancing Iranian military capabilities and contribute to its confrontation of the Israeli and Western security threats. Finally, possible purchase of advanced fighter jets from China and strengthening Iranian air force can be a significant step to improve its deterrence power.
