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Interestingly, even after long sanctions and diplomatic melt down, they are buying 80 jets from USA (Boeing) and 50-60 jets from EU (Airbus).
Why did Iran order jets from USA and EU when they could have bought jets from Russia (UAC)? Also, why are not Russians desperate to secure the deal?
Note. Those who are saying that Russia can't manufacture large aircraft, take a look at this:
This is a matter of economics, not politics: nobody else makes large passenger jets. Antonov's largest seats 99 passengers, Embraer's seats 132, and UAC's seats 145. That's the same size as a small Airbus or Boeing jet. The 777-300ER they're purchasing holds around 400 passengers and has the range to reach almost anywhere in the world non-stop.
The Ilyushin Il-96 and Tupolev Tu-204 aren't possible alternatives, either. The Il-96-300 is produced at a rate of one per year and is smaller and shorter-ranged than a 777 or A330, while the Il-96-400 only exists on paper. The Tu-204 is half the size, has half the range, and is produced at a rate of two per year.
It is hard to answer this objectively. I think this makes sense because most of economical sanctions were coming from USA and EU. What Iran is getting after lifting the sanctions is briefly mentioned here:
The EU will end its embargo of Iranian oil, which should pump more money into the Iranian economy. An increased supply of oil globally, perhaps an increase of a million barrels a day or even more, could well push the price down.
And the EU will, as well, end its banking sanctions, meaning that Iran will again be able to participate in the Swift system of electronic banking -- something that is essential to participation in the global financial system.
It is clearly arguable, but a correlation between a favorable political decision and a major business deal is highly probable.
Also, I think jets quality might play a role here. I know nothing about commercial jets assessment, but a quick search returns this small qualitative top, which clearly shows domination of Airbus and Boeing dominance.
Because Iran was under sanctions by the west for the past 3 decades, therefore Iran couldn't obtained any spare parts for its fleet of American made Boeing, therefore now they've got the chance to buy the new Airbus planes and I don't blame them, you have to consider the passenger safety, over the time they've purchase some Russian made aircraft but was not reliable.
Another reason: if you want to run international air routes, you need to be able to get your jets checked for fitness to fly in your destination countries, for return flights,
Nobody has been offering that service for Russian-built aircraft outside the former USSR for at least a decade. Establishing routes with Russian-built aircraft requires setting up a lot of training and infrastructure. That's not cost-effective.
I posted this question in 2017 using my previous profile.
After five years, I see that my allegation was correct and in deed Iran failed to obtain those planes. Therefore, in my opinion, Iran's decision was wrong.
Those who are saying Russian planes are fuel-inefficient or cost ineffective, should remember that - it is better to have a safe-to-fly aircraft than to fly a worn off Boeing or Airbus.
