Moscow recently concluded a secret agreement with Tehran to start the production of drones on the territory of Russia in order to use them in the war in Ukraine, American and Western intelligence services have learned, writes the American newspaper The Washington Post, cited by News.ro.

Russian and Iranian officials finalized the deal during a meeting in Iran earlier this month, and the two countries are now rapidly transferring blueprints and key components that will allow production to begin within months, three officials with knowledge of the matter told the US newspaper.

According to representatives of the security services of the two countries, who followed the events, a group of negotiators from the Russian defense industry went to Tehran to work out the logistics. A separate delegation led by Russian Security Council Secretary Mykola Patrushev then traveled to the Iranian capital on Nov. 9 to discuss, among other things, economic sanctions and other “Western interference” in the affairs of their governments, Russian and Iranian state media reported.

“He quickly moves from decision making to execution. It moves quickly and with great momentum,” said one of the officials interviewed by the Washington Post.

Officials said the deal, if fully implemented, would strengthen the Russian-Iranian alliance after Tehran already provided crucial support to Moscow’s failed military campaign in Ukraine.

By acquiring its own drone production line, Russia could greatly increase its stockpile of the relatively cheap but highly destructive weapon it used in Ukraine in recent weeks, when Iranian kamikaze drones turned the tide of the conflict nine months into the conflict.

Russia used more than 400 Iranian drones in Ukraine

After being forced out of Ukrainian territory that its forces seized at the start of the war, Moscow moved to a strategy of relentless airstrikes on Ukrainian cities, using a combination of cruise missiles and kamikaze drones to cut off electricity and water to millions. people Russia has reportedly used more than 400 Iranian-made attack drones against Ukraine since August, according to intelligence officials, many of them targeting civilian infrastructure such as power plants.

For Moscow, the deal could meet a critical need for precision munitions, as its stockpiles are at a critical state after nine months of fighting. Russian factories have previously made minor modifications to some drones purchased from Iran, such as changing the name and color scheme to better resemble Russian munitions. But there has been no domestic production of Iranian-developed drones on the territory of Russia.

At the same time, the deal offers significant economic and political benefits for Iran, officials say. It is unclear what kind of help Tehran wants from Moscow in return, other than money and the benefits of strengthening its alliance with its powerful northern neighbor. In the past, Russia has provided Iran with a surveillance satellite so it can spy on its neighbors, as well as key components for the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Iran may receive additional nuclear aid in exchange for assistance in Russia’s military campaign.

Although Tehran has tried to present itself as neutral in the conflict in Ukraine, after the appearance of Iranian-made drones over Ukrainian cities, Europe is threatening Tehran with new sanctions, and Iran’s leaders believe that they will be able to avoid them if the drones are physically assembled in Russia,” said officials with whom The Washington Post consulted.

The weak link in the deal

Weapons experts say the key question is whether Russia can acquire or manufacture the kind of electronic and optical systems that would allow Iranian drones to successfully deliver long-range precision strikes. Economic sanctions imposed on Iran and Russia have severely restricted the sale of sensitive technology to both countries, including electronic guidance systems.

An independent analysis of Iranian drones recovered from the battlefield in Ukraine revealed the extent of Iran’s dependence on foreign powers for key components. An October report based on an examination of three types of drones built by Iran – Mohajer-6, Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 – found electronic and engine parts made by American, German and Chinese firms, according to the Institute for Science and International Security. a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that conducted the analysis.

While it is unclear how exactly Iran obtained the parts, Tehran has a long history of evading international sanctions. In addition, the end next year of the UN embargo on the sale of ballistic missiles to Iran could give Tehran a new boost in the arms trade, meaning it could continue to sell its weapons to Russia and other countries, the report said.

“Iran and Russia can lie to the world, but they cannot hide the facts: Tehran helps kill Ukrainian civilians by supplying weapons and helps Russia in its operations. This is another sign of the isolation that both Iran and Russia have found themselves in,” White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson told The Washington Post. “The United States, along with allies and partners, is using all means to expose, deter, and oppose Iran’s supply of these munitions and Russia’s use of them against the Ukrainian people. We will continue to provide Ukraine with the critical security assistance it needs to protect itself, including air defense systems,” Watson added.

Officials said it was unclear what kind of help Tehran wanted from Moscow in return, other than money and the benefits of a stronger alliance with Iran’s powerful northern neighbor. In the past, Russia has provided Iran with a surveillance satellite so it can spy on its neighbors, as well as key components for the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Western media have reported that Iran may receive additional nuclear aid in exchange for assistance in Russia’s military campaign.

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