Tel Aviv: Russia has prepared a long list of weapon systems that it plans to send to Iran in order to reinforce its army after the US and Israeli attacks in the recent 12 days war.
In addition to fighter aircraft such as the Su-35 and MiG-29, Russia is delivering and planning to deliver several advanced weapon systems to Iran, including air defence, electronic warfare, and missile technologies.
Russia has supplied Iran with the S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system. This system complements Iran’s network, which also includes Chinese HQ-series SAMs and indigenous systems like Bavar-373, improving protection for nuclear and military sites.
Iran has begun field tests of the S-400 and is integrating both the Russian S-400 and Chinese HQ-9 batteries into its national air defence network.
Russia’s concern KRET is providing avionics, electronic warfare pods, jamming systems, and heads-up displays associated with the Su-35 and other aircraft. Delivery schedules indicate shipments of these systems from 2024 to 2026.
With the possibility of semi-knocked-down fighter jet assembly lines being established in Iran, Russian personnel are still there to supervise assembly and knowledge transfer.
Although specifics of the Russian missile systems being offered are still being uncovered, leaked sources indicate Iran is considering purchasing missiles in addition to fighter jets.
Given Iran’s desire to increase the range and accuracy of its strikes following operational shortcomings in recent conflicts, Russia may also be providing targeting, propulsion, and seeker technologies to assist Iran in enhancing its cruise and ballistic missile and anti-ship missile capabilities.
Iran has received training aircraft such as the Yak-130 from Russia to modernise its pilot training for new fighter platforms.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
