What's on Iran's shopping list if the UN arms embargo is lifted?

Iran will have a range of advanced military equipment it can choose from if the UN arms embargo ends in October.

High on Tehran's list will be highly manoeuvrable Russian-made fighter aircraft, as well as some of its most advanced surface-to-air missiles.

But Chinese weapons systems are likely to provide tough competition to Russia's offering.

Chinese fighter jets and missiles may not be as advanced as those produced in Russia, but their lower cost could prove tempting to cash-strapped Tehran.

Below are some of the jets, missiles and submarines singled out by experts at the International Institute for Strategic Studies as potential purchases.

Combat aircraft

Russia's Su-30SM

Sukhoi Su-30 fighters seen on the opening day of the 2017 Dubai Airshow. EPA

Highly manoeuvrable multi-role variant of the Flanker aircraft family
Similar to American F-15E Strike Eagle
Deep interdiction and strike missions
Air-to-air fighter
All weather. Good reliability
Operational with Russian Air Force in Syria

China's J-10 Firebird

J-10 fighter jets of the Bayi Aerobatic Team perform at an airshow in 2014. AFP

Light, fast and agile
In service with Chinese air force and navy
Was a specialised fighter but now capable of ground attack, too
Radar is said to be very good – Chinese claim better than European Typhoon
Single seat, single engine
Top speed of about 2,700kph
Allegedly copied from an early Israeli design

Russia's MiG-35

A scale model of a MIG-35 being installed at the Berlin Air Show. EPA

All-out fighter jet with advanced avionics and weapon systems
Has unique precision targeting system
Able to conduct independent missions
Cheaper but less capable than the Su-30SM

China and Pakistan's JF-17 Thunderbird

Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder aircraft on display at the Dubai Airshow. AFP

Cheapest option to buy
Uses include interception, anti-ship, ground attack and reconnaissance
Combat proven – Pakistani JF-17s allegedly shot down Indian MiG-21 and Su-30M in 2019
Available for export

Air defence missiles

S-400 Growler

epa07647266 (FILE) - A Russian military official walks in front of The S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system during the Army 2017 International Military Technical Forum in Patriot Park outside Moscow, Russia, 22 August 2017 (reissued 14 June 2019). The S-400 system can simultaneously hit 36 targets within a radius of 400 kilometres and up to an altitude of 27 kilometres - for many states this means a significant expansion of their defence capabilities. In recent years, many countries have bought or intend to buy the Russian S-400 air defence system, including China, Saudi Arabia, India and Qatar. The most prominent and sensitive case for NATO is Turkey. Turkey intends to purchase the advanced Russian S-400 air defence system, the first missiles and their associated radars could start to be delivered in July 2019. EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV *** Local Caption *** 53719076 — A Russian military official walks past an S-400 anti-aircraft missile system. EPA

One of the world's most advanced anti-aircraft missiles
Russia engaged in major export drive and will sell to Iran if official request made
Radar system can track 100 targets simultaneously
Effective at extremely long ranges of more than 300km
Maximum velocity 7,240kph carrying large 180kg warhead
One central system can control 72 launchers and 384 missiles

Russia's S-300PMU2 Grumble

S-300 PMU2 missiles seen during rehearsals for Russia's Victory Day Parade. The National

Old but remains a potent anti-aircraft missile
Significantly cheaper than S-400
Russia capable of producing second-hand S-300 systems for export as per Syria
Can defend against cruise missiles and aircraft and can intercept ballistic missiles.
Criticised by Syrian official as ineffective against Israeli air attacks

China's FD-2000 Fang Dun

An HQ-9 portable launcher during China's 60th anniversary parade in 2009, Beijing. Jian Kang / Wikimedia

Well-regarded medium to long-range missile
Seen as somewhere between S-400 and S-300 in capability
Maximum range 200km with large 180kg warhead
Maximum speed 5,150kph
May not yet be ready for export

Submarines

Russia's Varshavyanka Kilo class upgrade

Iranian submarine during navy exercises in the Strait of Hormuz January 3, 2012. AFP

Anti-shipping, anti-submarine vessel excellent in shallow waters such as the Gulf
Project 636 Varshavyanka-class is modernised variant of older Kilo class operated by Iran
Extended combat range, can strike land targets
Speed of 20 knot and can dive 300 metres. Crew of 52
Carries cruise missiles, torpedoes and mines
Iran may choose to simply upgrade its existing hulls rather than buy a new model

China's Yuan class

Among the quietest diesel-electric submarines in service
Able to hide underwater for several days
Excellent in shallow waters close to coastlines
Capable of firing cruise missiles against ships
Anti-submarine role

Guided missiles

Iran is particularly interested in faster, longer-range anti-ship and land-attack missiles.

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If the embargo is not renewed, Iran will likely want to invest in new weapons to supplement its own, domestically-produced missiles.

Both Russia and China has been developing advanced missiles capable of hitting targets at sea or on land, over extreme distances.

Iran has already shown willingness to use long-range missiles, and new weapons would add to Tehran's defensive and offensive capabilities in the region.

Chinese or Russian missiles would give Iran the ability to hit targets hundreds of kilometres away.

Iran could seek to play the two powers against one another in order boost its forces as cheaply as possible.

Russia’s Yakhont missile