Russian Forces Increasingly Using Iranian Made Weapon Systems as Supply Expands

By Arie Egozi

Foreign Affairs

Tel Aviv: The transfer of Iranian made weapon systems to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine is expanding. The new development is that Iranian made subsystems turn “dumb” bombs into very accurate gliding bombs.

According to a report in the website of the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Russian forces are increasingly using glide bombs, including modified air bombs such as the FAB-500, KAB-500, and RPK-500 equipped with glide bomb components. These are most frequently deployed in the Luhansk and Kherson sectors of the front.

The think tank analysts also referenced the last week statement by US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, who stated that Iran is supplying Russia with glide bombs and may be preparing to transfer short-range ballistic missiles. ISW clarified in the report that it is unclear whether Kirby meant Iran is supplying Russia only with glide bomb components or complete bombs.

The supply of Iranian made subsystems that turn air dropped bombs to gliding very accurate weapon systems comes in parallel to the massive supply of Iranian made armed drones to Russia. Iran has supplied large numbers of different types of armed drones to Russia and according to some sources these are now being assembled in a new site in Russia.