Iran to supply Russia with ballistic missiles for Ukraine war
Iran is preparing to deliver hundreds of ballistic missiles with a range of 75 miles to Russia, Reuters reports, citing anonymous European intelligence sources. Russian soldiers are currently in the allied country, trained to operate the Fath-360 missile system.
Relations between Moscow and Tehran have been tightening recently. Not long ago, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu visited Iran, where he met with President Masoud Pezeshkian, among others. The topic of conversation was "accelerating" bilateral partnership for "greater global security and peace." Western analysts noted at the time that Tehran was seeking S-400 air defence systems from the Russian Federation. Moscow authorities were reportedly positively inclined to Tehran's request for assistance.
Hundreds of missiles from Iran to Russia
The alliance between Russia and Iran is evidently progressing, as sources in European military intelligence, cited by Reuters but wishing to remain anonymous, report that Tehran is preparing to send hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia. "They expected the imminent delivery of hundreds of the satellite-guided weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine," we read.
Representatives of the Russian ministry reportedly signed an agreement in Tehran in December for the Fath-360 and another ballistic missile system built by the Iranian company Ababil. Iran is preparing to ship the weapons, though the exact number of missiles is unknown.
There is talk of "hundreds" of units. Additionally, dozens of Russian soldiers are currently in Iran, where training is being conducted to prepare the army to operate the systems. The United States has refused to confirm information about possible missile deliveries from Iran to Russia. At the same time, NATO allies "are prepared to deliver a swift and severe response if Iran were to move forward with such transfers."
Fath-360 ballistic missile
The mentioned Fath-360 (BM-120) is a tactical short-range ballistic missile produced in Iran, announced in 2022. It is, therefore, a relatively new weapon. However, it is known that the Fath-360 is a part of the Fateh family, and its weight and dimensions allow several missiles to be placed on a single truck launcher.
The total mass of the Iranian missile, which could be sent to Russia, is just under 790 kilogrammes. The warhead itself, however, weighs 150 kilogrammes. The total length of the Fath-360 is nearly 5 metres, with a diameter reaching almost 41 centimetres. The effective strike range for this ammunition is 121 kilometres, with a launch speed of 2.5 Machs, which is over 3,600 kilometres per hour, and an impact speed of 3 Machs (nearly 6,000 kilometres per hour).
A combination of inertial navigation and satellite navigation handles guidance for the Fath-360. This complex ensures accuracy at a level of less than 30 metres.
