Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
0 comments 
Secret Negotiation Anticipates Staggered Delivery of MANPADS Systems Over Three Years and Reinforces Military Cooperation Between Tehran and Moscow Amid Escalating Tensions with the West
Iran is believed to have signed a secret military agreement valued at around €500 million, equivalent to US$ 589 million, with Russia for the acquisition of state-of-the-art portable air defense systems. The negotiation was revealed in a report by the Financial Times, based on sources familiar with the process and documents associated with the contract.
According to the disclosed content, the understanding was concluded in December, involving the Russian state agency Rosoboronexport, a representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense, and the logistics agency of the Iranian Armed Forces. Although neither party has officially confirmed the agreement, the details presented indicate one of the largest recent transfers of MANPADS systems to Tehran.
Provision of 500 Launchers and 2,500 Missiles Over Three Years
According to the documents cited in the report, the contract provides for the supply of 500 portable Verba launchers and 2,500 9M336 missiles, with deliveries scheduled to occur in three distinct phases, between 2027 and 2029. This staggered structure suggests a medium-term planning approach for the restoration of Iran’s defensive capabilities.
-
The German “steel monster” weighing 55 tons fires up to 10 projectiles per minute at over 40 km and avoids counterattacks on the battlefield by moving quickly to escape enemy attacks; meet the Panzerhaubitze 2000.
-
USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, returns to sea after a fire in the laundry in the Red Sea; repaired in Crete, it resumes missions of Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
-
Military power: South Korea’s new KF-21 fighter jet will be a key component in replacing the aging aircraft of the air force, placing the country on the map of air military powers.
-
With 310 meters, 80 thousand tons, and capable of operating for 45 years, the new nuclear aircraft carrier France Libre will be the largest in France and will enter service in 2038.
Moreover, sources interviewed by the newspaper state that the early transfer of a limited number of systems cannot be ruled out, even before the official schedule. However, to date, there has been no public confirmation from Moscow or Tehran regarding deliveries that have already taken place.
The Verba system is considered one of Russia’s most modern MANPADS, utilizing advanced infrared guidance. It is capable of engaging low-altitude aircraft, including helicopters, tactical planes, cruise missiles, and drones, making it especially relevant in asymmetric warfare scenarios and point defense.
Layered Air Defense and Regional Strategic Impact
Analysts cited by the Financial Times assess that the acquisition is part of a broader effort by Iran to reconstruct and diversify its air defense, following damage suffered in recent encounters. In this context, MANPADS provide a significant advantage as mobile systems, operated by small teams, which reduces reliance on fixed radars, considered priority targets in precision attacks.
Additionally, the dispersal capability of these systems allows for the creation of decentralized defensive layers, increasing the risk for low-altitude air operations. This includes not only manned aircraft but also the growing use of armed and reconnaissance drones, increasingly present in modern conflicts.
Despite these tactical advantages, experts emphasize that Verba missiles are unlikely to significantly alter the regional military balance. Nevertheless, the increase in portable air defense density could significantly raise operational costs for adversary forces, especially in close air support missions.
The agreement also highlights the deepening military cooperation between Russia and Iran, two countries that have expanded their collaboration in the defense sector in recent years. This partnership includes transfers of drones, military technologies, and other weapon systems, in a context of growing tensions with the West.
Contacted by the press, the Kremlin, Rosoboronexport, and officials from Iran did not officially comment on the details of the agreement, maintaining secrecy regarding the negotiation.
Information from: Forças Terrestres
-
Uma pessoa reagiu a isso.