Russia plans to open a factory for the production of “Iranian” drones in Tatarstan

Western leaders are concerned about the deepening of military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran: there is information that the Russian Federation plans to open its own Shahed production using Iranian technology, and Iran may receive an air defense system in exchange.

The Washington Post writes about it.

The military collaboration of two exile countries (the Russian Federation and Iran) is a challenge for the entire civilized world.  After all, as a result of such cooperation, Moscow can get even more “kamikaze” drones, which it uses to attack Ukrainian critical infrastructure, and even its own factory for their production – probably in the Republic of Tatarstan.

Tehran will be given money and secret technologies in return.Relations between the Russian Federation and Iran are becoming a full-scale defense partnership that threatens the Middle East and the rest of the world.  This was reported by The Washington Post with reference to a number of officials familiar with the latest intelligence data.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said their “cooperation is mutually beneficial” as Moscow offers Tehran “unprecedented levels of military and technical support” in exchange for Iranian drones and possibly ballistic missiles for use in the war in Ukraine.

Now, “Russia is looking to cooperate with Iran in areas such as weapons development and training,” Kirby said.  Previously, the Biden administration also stated that “dozens” of Iranian instructors went to the Russian-occupied Crimea, and the Russians, in turn, were sent to Iran for training in the use of drones.

“We are concerned that Russia intends to provide advanced military components to Iran,” Kirby said.  He declined to specify what those components are, but agreed that “it may include air defense.”  The Russian air defense system S-400 is still considered one of the most powerful in the world.

British Foreign Minister James Cleverley, referring to US statements, said in London that “bad deals” between Tehran and Moscow pose a growing threat to global security.  Britain, he said, “will continue to expose this desperate alliance and will hold both countries accountable.”

Map of the routes by which Iran transports weapons to the Russian Federation

The Washington Post reported that Moscow and Tehran secretly agreed to start production of Iranian-made drones on Russian territory.  But with Russia’s drone stockpile running out and production many months away, Iran has pledged in recent weeks to significantly increase supplies of UAVs to Moscow for the war in Ukraine. 

Officials of the United States and allied countries reported this in comments for the publication.

The sale of additional drones was discussed during at least two meetings between military and diplomatic officials of the Russian Federation and Iran in the past month, representatives of the security services of NATO and other US allies said. 

One senior military official briefed on the details of the exchange said Iran had agreed to supply up to 6,000 UAVs, mostly Shahed-type models that Russia has been using to attack Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure since the summer.

The Washington Post spokeswoman agreed to speak on condition that his identity and nationality not be released, citing the sensitive nature of intelligence-gathering efforts.  The second official representative of the NATO member state confirmed that Iran agreed to supply Russia with “thousands” of drones. 

Both officials confirmed that Iranian ballistic missiles were also purchased by Russia.

A senior military official, citing intelligence, said Iran had agreed to provide design documentation and provide technical supervision for the planned construction of a Russian drone factory expected to be located in Tatarstan.

Iran is to receive up to $1 billion in payments in addition to other, as-yet-undisclosed incentives, the official added.

It will be recalled that, according to Israeli intelligence, as if fearing an international negative reaction, Iran plans to limit the range of the missiles it promised to provide to the Russian Federation for the war in Ukraine.