Russia is secretly providing technological and technical support to Iran for the development of supersonic cruise missiles, according to a report by the Financial Times.As reported by the British newspaper, Russian support for the Iranian program allegedly began in 2023 and continued throughout the war between the US and Iran.The goal of the cooperation is the development of a new category of weapons that could create a severe threat to US aircraft carriers in the Middle East region.
The secret C430L program
According to the Financial Times, the program bears the codename C430L and involves the development of advanced missiles capable of striking US warships.A central element of the design is the development of a ramjet propulsion system, which will allow Iranian missiles to travel at speeds multiple times the speed of sound.The ability to fly at very high speeds and low altitudes could significantly limit the reaction time of Western air defense systems.In other words, a high-speed missile flying low could be detected later and leave a smaller window of time for its interception, increasing the chances of a successful missile attack.
Technological exchange between Russia and Iran
The transfer of advanced missile technology to Iran would require, according to the report, approval at the highest political levels of Russian leadership.The information concurrently reinforces estimates that Moscow and Tehran have proceeded with a broader exchange of military expertise.Iran has provided support to Russia in the field of unmanned aerial vehicle development, while Russia is reportedly reinforcing Iran accordingly in the development of missile systems.This cooperation comes in addition to the already existing intelligence sharing between the two countries.
Preparations began before the deal
Evidence that came into the possession of the Financial Times shows that preparations for the agreement had begun before its official signature.The agreement was allegedly signed in November 2023, just one month after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.This development acquires special significance, as it demonstrates that military cooperation between Russia and Iran began to deepen during a period when the Middle East was entering a new phase of geopolitical instability.
"Russia wants to expand the war in Ukraine"
Nicole Grajewski, a professor at Sciences Po University in Paris, estimates that Moscow is attempting to widen the consequences of the war in Ukraine and entangle the US across more geographical fronts."Russia is trying to broaden the war in Ukraine and drag the US into different theaters of operations," she stated characteristically.This assessment reflects the broader geopolitical competition between Russia and the US, with the Middle East serving as one of the primary arenas of confrontation.
Support continued during the war with Iran
The Financial Times investigation also shows that Russian support did not stop after the outbreak of hostilities.On the contrary, it continued throughout the war with Iran in February, providing significant assistance to Tehran during its attacks against Persian Gulf states.This development reinforces concerns over the deepening of military cooperation between Russia and Iran, and the potential transfer of technology that could alter the balance of power in the region.
Iran's ramjet effort since 2019
Iran has been seeking for years to develop a ramjet propulsion system.As early as 2019, Iran's supreme leader at the time, Ali Khamenei, was recorded inspecting facilities where development work on this specific ramjet technology was taking place.At the same time, Iranian media had broadcast information in August 2023 regarding tests of ramjet prototypes.Russian technological support, according to the Financial Times report, comes to reinforce this multi-year effort by Iran, during a period in which Tehran seeks to significantly enhance the offensive capabilities of its missile arsenals.
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