Russian President Putin is dangerously increasing Iran’s power.
Russia has secretly helped Iran develop advanced supersonic cruise missiles. FT describes this as one of the most significant known transfers of strategic military technology from Moscow to Tehran.
The multiyear covert program, codenamed C430L, has enlisted some of Russia’s most experienced missile specialists to help Iran develop a new class of weapon. It will be capable of threatening US aircraft carriers and other warships in the Middle East.
An FT investigation uncovered the program, which began in 2023. It continued into the US-Israeli war against Iran, through leaked Russian correspondence, travel records, and analysis of military patents.
The main purpose of C430L is to help Iran to develop a ramjet propulsion system. It is an engine that allows a cruise missile to sustain flight at several times the speed of sound. Missile and military experts said the technology was almost certainly intended for anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles.
Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, told his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday that Moscow was “trying to give you the help you need in this difficult period.” He continued, “supplying you with the goods you need,” without elaborating.
I thought Putin agreed that Iran can’t have a nuclear missile, but they can have hypersonic.