TechIran begins delivery of ballistic missiles to Russia, WSJ reports

Iran begins delivery of ballistic missiles to Russia, WSJ reports

The firing of a Fath-360 missile.
The firing of a Fath-360 missile.
Images source: © Wikimedia Commons
Norbert Garbarek

7 September 2024 19:01

The American daily "The Wall Street Journal" reports that Iran has started dispatching short-range ballistic missiles to Russia – most likely the Fath-360. The newspaper emphasises that the United States is said to have informed its allies about this.

The Russians are strengthening their relations with Iran. Not long ago, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu visited Tehran and talked with President Masoud Pezeshkian about expanding the partnership. At that time, it was said that Tehran sought S-400 air defence systems from Russia to bolster its defence capabilities.

Moscow strengthens ties with Tehran

At the same time, anonymous informants reported that Iran was preparing to deliver hundreds of ballistic missiles with a range of 120 kilometres to Russia. Russian Federation soldiers were also said to have been in the allied country for the past few weeks, being trained in the operation of the Fath-360 missile system.

The American "WSJ" now confirms that the shipment of weapons from Iran to Russia has already begun. The newspaper cites its findings from high-ranking officials in the USA and Europe who wish to remain anonymous. One of the newspaper's sources confirms that part of the missiles has already been delivered to Russia. The rest are on the way. It is not known precisely how many missiles have reached the Russian Federation and how many are in transit. However, the media note that Iran may have delivered up to 200 Fath-360 missiles so far.

Hundreds of missiles from Iran to Russia

The Fath-360, like its Iraqi version Al-Aqsa 1, is a modern short-range ballistic missile that can attack targets up to 120 kilometres away. The Fath-360 warhead weighs 150 kilograms, which poses a significant challenge to enemy defence systems.

The Fath-360 is a ballistic missile about 5 metres long and just under 0.4 metres in diameter. It weighs approximately 800 kilograms and can strike targets up to 120 kilometres away from the launch point. Thanks to GNSS and GLONASS satellite guidance systems and inertial navigation, the Fath-360 is highly precise. Upon impact with the target, the missile reaches speeds of up to Mach 4, making it a hazardous tool in military operations.

The Fath-360 is not just a ballistic missile but also part of a broader weapons system that includes advanced technologies and precise satellite guidance. Its ability to reach speeds of Mach 4 makes it exceptionally difficult to intercept by enemy defence systems. The warhead's high mass ensures that a missile strike results in severe damage.