Russia and Iran are preparing to sign a "broad bilateral agreement," Moscow's defense ministry said today.
Iran's secret underground air base | Tasnim
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu spoke earlier today with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani. According to the ministry's statement, the two "discussed military-technological cooperation and questions of regional security."
Tehran is one of Moscow's arms suppliers. Starting in 2022, the Islamic Republic has transferred to Russia Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 attack drones, which have been used to attack Ukraine. Last year, a plant for the production of UAVs of the aforementioned models was also established in Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosts Iranian President Raisi at the Kremlin last month, Photo: AP
At the end of last November, Iran announced that arrangements had been made to receive advanced Russian Sukhoi-35 fighter jets. Iran's air force has a rather outdated fleet of Soviet planes, as well as obsolete American planes purchased before the 1979 revolution. "The software has been completed to receive Su-35s, Mi-28 helicopters and Yak-130 training and attack aircraft," Deputy Defense Minister Mehdi Farhi told Iran's Tasnim news agency.
Russia is the largest investor in the Iranian economy. According to data from Tehran's Economy Ministry, $4 billion was invested in the Islamic Republic, about 60% of which came from Moscow.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us