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Iran has agreed a secret €500 million arms deal with Russia to acquire thousands of shoulder-fired missiles in its most significant effort to rebuild air defences that were shattered during last year’s war with Israel, reported the Financial Times.
“The Verba is one of Russia’s most modern air-defence systems, a shoulder-fired, infrared-guided missile capable of targeting cruise missiles, low-flying aircraft or drones, and under the €495 million Verba contract, the deliveries are scheduled in three tranches, running from 2027 through 2029.
“Russia would likely have viewed the deal as a way to help rebuild ties with Iran after it conspicuously failed to come to its ally’s aid during the 12-day war with Israel,” added the FT.
According to the FT, Russia also agreed to sell Iran 500 “Mowgli-2” night vision sights to track aicract and other targets in darkness, while: “Iran has sought to acquire two squadrons of the advanced Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, though officials in Tehran have complained about delays in fulfilling the order.”
