Recent reports reveal that Russian military personnel are being trained in Iran to use the Fath-360 close-range ballistic missile system. European intelligence sources say that hundreds of these missiles will be delivered to Russia after this training. The Fath-360 is a satellite-guided missile system with a maximum range of 120 kilometres and a warhead weighing 150 kilograms.
The training and potential delivery come after Russian defense ministry representatives signed a contract in Tehran on December 13. The contract includes not only the Fath-360 but also another Iranian missile system known as the Ababil.
The Role of Iranian Missiles in Russia’s Arsenal
The addition of Fath-360 missiles to Russia’s arsenal could significantly impact its military strategy. The Russians may utilise the Fath-360s for targets closer to home, even though they already have ballistic missiles of their own. This would allow Russia to reserve its existing missiles for targets further away from the front line.
A military expert suggests that using Iranian missiles for shorter-range attacks could help Russia utilize its own missile stockpile more effectively. The U.S. National Security Council has warned that if Iran proceeds with these transfers, it could escalate the conflict and prompt a severe response from the U.S. and its allies.
Iran’s Official Stance
Iran maintains that it has not yet provided Fath-360 missiles to Russia. The Iranian government claims that it refrains from supplying any weapons that might be used in the Ukraine conflict. Despite this, the U.S. and European intelligence sources indicate that such transfers could be imminent.
Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations stated that while Iran has established a strategic partnership with Russia, it avoids transferring weapons that could fuel the Ukraine conflict. Iran also asserts that how Russia uses the equipment it purchases is beyond Tehran’s control.
Previous Military Cooperation
In the past, Iran mainly helped Russia with unmanned drones called Shaheds. These drones are less powerful and easier to shoot down than missiles. But now, Iran might send a lot of short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. This could make it even harder for Ukraine to defend itself.
Iranian news said that the Fath-360 missile system was tested successfully by Iran’s military in July 2023. This shows that Iran is still working on and improving its missile technology.
Impact on Ukrainian Defense
The Fath-360 missiles from Iran might put more pressure on Ukraine’s missile defenses. Justin Bronk, an expert at the Royal United Services Institute, says these missiles could only be stopped by Ukraine’s best defense systems, like the European SAMP/T and American Patriot. So far, Ukraine hasn’t found any Iranian missile parts or debris. Without this evidence, it’s still not certain if Iran is sending these missiles to Russia.
Global Reactions and Sanctions
The ban on Iran’s missile exports imposed by the U.N. Security Council ended in October 2023. The U.S. and European Union have retained sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile program. These sanctions aim to prevent Iran from supplying weapons to its proxies and to Russia.
The evolving military relationship between Russia and Iran highlights the growing complexity of the Ukraine conflict. As the situation develops, global responses and actions will likely continue to shape the course of international relations and military strategies.