Russia says air defence is at centre of military cooperation with Iran

Russia’s head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation has said air defence has become the main focus of military cooperation between Russia and Iran. He said the cooperation is not limited to one area and also includes aviation equipment.

Dmitry Shugayev, the head of the Russian body, said in an interview with the Vesti network on Tuesday that Russia and Iran have a broad programme for military cooperation. He added that air defence systems are now Tehran’s top priority.

Shugayev said this was not a new issue and had long been on the agenda of both sides. He also said that Iran currently has the Russian S-300 system.

The head of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation claimed the system has been effective. He added that the full range of weapons Russia offers its strategic partners for export is, in one way or another, being discussed within the framework of cooperation with Iran.

Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation is the body responsible for coordinating the country’s arms exports and defence cooperation with foreign parties. The S-300 is also one of Russia’s air defence systems designed to intercept airborne targets.