Iran and Russia axis: The defence cooperation and its impact
Russia, a communist country, and Iran, an Islamic regime, have long maintained a complex and delicate relationship that alternates between hostility and collaboration. However, the world community has seen how their relationship has consist...
Considering this strengthened relationship, this article strives to highlight the areas that have experienced a new growth phase since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, the reasons for their improved relationship, how the international community, particularly Western countries and NATO, has reacted to it, and whether this improved relationship is likely to have any consequences.
The year 2022 has seen a record number of engagements between senior Russian and Iranian officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Tehran, as well as a surge in flights between the two nations. However, one area of Russia-Iran relations that has recently received the greatest attention is their defense cooperation. Several news outlets have reported that Russia is buying large quantities of Iranian-made missiles and drones to use against Ukraine. The two nations reportedly also inked an agreement under which Iran committed to give Russia around 1,750 Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the Shahed and Mohajer types as well as about 1,000 more armaments, including short-range ballistic missiles. Additionally, Russia has also requested Iranian Fateh and Zolfaghar surface-to-surface missiles. Iran, on the other side, is receiving Russian Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jets. Further, Iran is also sending technical advisers to Crimea to assist with mechanical problems and facilitate drone launchings.
Considering these developments, one might wonder why Iran, which presents itself as taking a neutral stance in the Russia-Ukraine war, is selling these products to Russia and contributing to the violence in Ukraine, and why Russia, despite being self-sufficient in missiles, is buying drones, etc. from Iran.
Why is Russia buying defense technology from Iran?
There are numerous possible answers to this question. The first answer is that Russia needs an inexpensive, disposable unmanned system so that it can conduct swarm attacks, target Ukraine's power production, command and control, and logistic infrastructure to the greatest extent feasible before winter sets in and destroy stations that U.S. and NATO reconnaissance and surveillance planes use to receive signals. The most promising solution to all these demands is Iranian drones.
For instance, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace claims that Iranian drones' low price is their most alluring feature. For instance, the Shahed-186, a small aerial target that primarily flies at low altitudes, is rarely detected by radars, has a distinctive triangular wing, works on its own, carries an explosive payload weighing about 80 pounds, and costs only $20,000 per unit. In comparison, the Kalibr cruise missiles from Russia, which Moscow extensively utilized in the war, cost $1 million each. Iranian drones are therefore much better from a financial standpoint. (Feldstein, 2022)
Second, although they are crude, they are fairly accurate in effectively reaching and destroying their target. Third, drones are advantageous to Russia because, given their low cost, Russia can fire them in large numbers and disrupt Ukraine's air defense system, even though they can carry smaller payloads, move much more slowly than their missile counterparts, and are relatively simpler to detect (MacFarquhar, 2022). Fourth, Russia needs Iranian drones to fill manufacturing shortfalls. Numerous UAVs, like the ZALA/Kalashnikov KUB loitering munition, are already in use in Russia. However, they have very limited warhead capacities, very small ranges, and are primarily used for surveillance and artillery spotting. This indicates that they do not currently possess fleets of armed drones. The second issue is that, even if they wanted to construct armed drones right now, they would need to import a lot of materials, which they are unable to do due to numerous restrictions. But because Iran is generally anti-Western and both countries are subject to Western sanctions, it can buy from Iran.
What are Iran’s interests in selling defence technology to Russia?
Iran, like Russia, wants to end the US-led world system and its hegemony in the Middle East. However, this is simply one justification for its expanded cooperation with Russia. The second rationale for selling its defense technology is that Iran now needs new consumers in addition to Ethiopia, Tajikistan, and Venezuela, which have traditionally purchased weapons from it. Since the late 1980s, Iran has been developing its own surveillance and attack vehicles, and today it possesses enormous inventories of these vehicles. However, many nations were showing reluctance to buy armaments from Iran due to the numerous sanctions imposed on it by the West. Consequently, Iran was concerned about how it could sell these weapons to others.
However, when the conflict between Russia and Ukraine erupted, Iran was genuinely blessed with a window of opportunity since Russia, the war's instigator, was eager to buy its weaponry. So, when it sold these items to Russia, Iran demonstrated to the world community, first, that it is becoming a major arms exporter, second, that its defense and aerospace technology is indeed capable, and third, that its geopolitical influence is not insignificant. Additionally, Iran is currently dealing with unprecedented domestic unrest. There is a significant backlash against the authorities. Iran therefore believes that if it can get Russia as a close ally, it may not only gain a backer but also count on Russia to remain silent about any crackdown.
How have the western countries reacted?
Even though both Iran and Russia have categorically denied any involvement in weapons trade, the West and its allies have not shied away from condemning Iran. For instance, Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, has vehemently attacked Iran's decision to provide Russia with armaments and advocated for fresh sanctions against the Islamic Republic. In a speech broadcast on November 6, he declared, “Its complicity in Russian terror must be punished.” (Iran will help Russia build drones for Ukraine war, Western officials say, 2022)
Furthermore, to somehow prevent Iran from doing this, the West has been placing new sanctions on the country. Britain and France have also voiced their worries, claiming that if Iran is providing Russia with armed drones for the Ukraine conflict, this is a violation of Tehran's commitments made as part of the 2015 nuclear agreement. Additionally, they have urged that the UN investigate any potential violations of Resolution 2231 by Iran. However, because the JCPOA has already expired in 2020, it is not absolutely impossible for Iran to assist Russia. (Sisodia, 2022)
Conclusion
Iran is entirely free to conduct any kind of military commerce, but if such transactions result in violence and devastation, the international community must step in. Iranian drones have already reduced Ukraine's ability to generate electricity by 30 to 40 percent. Therefore, it would be intriguing to observe how the west may limit this expanded defense collaboration between Iran and Russia, whether through fresh sanctions or any other methods.
References
- Feldstein, S. (2022, October 26). The Larger Geopolitical Shift Behind Iran’s Drone Sales to Russia. Retrieved from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace : https://carnegieendowment.org/2022/10/26/larger-geopolitical-shift-behind-iran-s-drone-sales-to-russia-pub-88268
- Iran will help Russia build drones for Ukraine war, Western officials say. (2022, November 19). Retrieved from Washington Post : https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/11/19/russia-iran-drones-secret-deal/
- MacFarquhar, N. (2022, October 18). Drones embody an Iran-Russia alliance built on hostility to the US. Retrieved from Indian Express : https://indianexpress.com/article/world/drones-embody-iran-russia-alliance-built-on-hostility-to-u-s-8215062/
- Sisodia, S. S. (2022, October 25). Why is West bothered about Iran sending drones to Russia? Retrieved from Wion : https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/why-is-west-bothered-about-iran-sending-drones-to-russia-528264
Pic Courtsey-Alfred Kenneally at unsplash.com
(The views expressed are thsoe of the author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)
Neha Dayma has recently completed her Masters in Politics with Specialization in International Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University. She is a political science graduate and also a current intern at Online Foreign Policy School. Her areas of interest include South- East Asia, West Asia, geopolitics, Indo- Pacific and India's foreign policy.
