Russia will sell its “most advanced” S-400 air defense systems to Iran in exchange for a massive supply of drones and missiles. Iran already uses the Russian-supplied S-300 air defense system, and will proceed to upgrade it by receiving their more advanced S-400 air defense system.
The S-400 is a mobile, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system that can engage aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cruise missiles and ballistic missiles in their terminal stages. It is the fourth generation of Russian long-range SAMs, which are also in possession of China, India and Turkey.
In October 2020, Russia’s then-ambassador to Iran said his country would have “no problem” selling Tehran an advanced air defense system when the UN arms embargo on the Islamic Republic is lifted.
At the time, Russian Ambassador Dharargilan told an Iranian publication: “As you know, we have provided Iran with S-300s. Russia has no problem delivering S-400s to Iran and had no problem before.”
According to the US, Moscow is reportedly providing Iran with various weapons, including unidentified helicopters, air defense systems and other support, such as the Su-35 trainer aircraft.
As part of this military trade between the two sanctions-hit countries, the Russian government reportedly wants to acquire additional kamikaze drones and hundreds of Iranian short-range ballistic missiles.
According to the US, Moscow is reportedly providing Iran with various weapons, including unidentified helicopters, air defense systems and other support, such as the Su-35 trainer aircraft.
As part of this military trade between the two sanctions-hit countries, the Russian government reportedly wants to acquire additional kamikaze drones and hundreds of Iranian short-range ballistic missiles.
In addition, Moscow intends to work with Iran on weapons development, with a possible joint venture establishing a drone manufacturing facility in Russia.
Moscow and Tehran had secretly agreed to start production of Shahed-136 kamikaze drones using Iranian designs on Russian soil.
But with Russia’s supply running low and the start of production still months away, Iran has promised in recent weeks to significantly increase its supply of drones to Moscow for the Ukraine conflict, according to US and allied officials. .
At least two talks between military and diplomatic representatives from Russia and Iran took place in November.
Iran had reportedly committed to providing up to 6,000 drones, mostly Shahed, according to a senior military officer briefed on the nature of the talks. Iran has also said it will send its ballistic missiles to Moscow. In this context, Western officials fear that Iran will persuade Russia to sell advanced equipment to Tehran.
From the above, it can be concluded that the balance in the Middle East will be severely overturned if Iran acquires Su-35 E fighters and S-400 anti-aircraft systems from Russia.
Putin has received and continues to receive significant military assistance from Iran, thanks to the kamikaze drones it provided him with, succeeding in suppressing Ukrainian air defenses and destroying 50% of Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure, while providing close air support to his fighting ground forces. Russian army.
After that Russia appears to have provided Iran with unprecedented military and technological support, turning their relationship into a comprehensive defense partnership.
The Gulf countries, but especially Israel, realize that the size of the Iranian threat will increase greatly, since the anti-aircraft and air reinforcement of Iran from Russia will make it more aggressive and uncompromising, making it extremely complex and difficult to attack it by air from Tel Aviv.
