Iran to manufacture drones in Russia despite mistrust
Iran and Russia have reportedly reached a deal that would see Tehran begin to manufacture its drones in Russia in the coming months, a move that indicates increasingly interlocking interests, despite mutual mistrust.
The agreement, first reported by the Washington Post as taking place in early November, would see the two countries consolidate their relationship as Russia desperately seeks to replenish its weapons stockpiles during its ongoing war in Ukraine.
If the deal is fully implemented, the Iranian drone factory would be only the second of its kind built outside of the country. The first, in the Central Asian state of Tajikistan, opened earlier this year.
Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics said, ‘There is not any love lost between Iran and Russia. The two countries, despite their deepening partnership this year, continue to harbour suspicions of the other’
The two countries are now reportedly moving quickly to transfer the production line of Iranian drones to Russia, in a move that could dramatically scale up the number of drones produced and deployed in Ukraine.
Iranian-made drones have reportedly already been deployed in significant numbers in the Ukrainian theatre, destroying power plants and civilian and military infrastructure.
Iran to manufacture drones in Russia despite mistrust
Reports suggest that Russia has bought several hundred Iranian drones, with another 1,000 ordered.
More significantly, the reported agreement, which has not been officially confirmed by either Iran or Russia, would deepen the strategic cooperation between the two and form part of a broader realignment in Asia.
For Tehran, the deal with Russia is part of its greater regional power projection, says Giorgio Cafiero, the CEO of Gulf State Analytics, a Washington-based political risk consultancy.
Israel, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have all been developing their drone industry in recent years, with various levels of success.
It is also within this context that the Iranian-Russian military cooperation should be looked at.
