Russia-Iran Military Exchanges: Part 3

Iran, Middle East Politics, Soviet Union and Russia, Warfare and Technology 1 Minute

This just in. Broken by Reuters as an ‘exclusive’ that Iran is supplying Russia with 400 Fatih-110 and Zulfiqar missiles. Missile deliveries began in January. Reuter’s writes, ‘Iran’s defence ministry and the Revolutionary Guards [and] Russia’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.’ IRGC and RF’s MOD are not going to respond to Reuters!

This is not ‘news’ because the deal has been in the offing since late 2022; and no Fatih-110 or Zulfiqar missiles have been used in Ukraine. After Reuters published their story, one Iranian and one Russian source confirmed details; but no ‘official’ confirmation from IRGC or IRGC-affiliated sources. IRGC will soon make its views known through their outlets.

Video of Zulfiqar in action (Iranian open source)

Fatih-110 (فاتح ; ‘conqueror’). Specs in brief:

  • Road-mobile SRBM with HE warhead or submunitions (cluster bombs) up to 500kg
  • Single-stage solid propellant (i.e., no launch prep time; missiles can be stored long-term)
  • Range up to 300km (a variant has 500 km range)
  • Speed up to Mach 4
  • Accuracy to 100m CEP (‘circular error probable’)

Zulfiqar (ذوالفقار ; the sword of Imam Ali, first Imam for all Shiʿa). Specs in brief:

  • Road-mobile SRBM with HE or submunitions up to 590kg
  • Single-stage solid propellant
  • Range up to 700km
  • Speed up to Mach 5
  • Accuracy to 10m CEP

A Russian source writes (AI translation):

‘However, the purchase of missile weapons from Iran has been long overdue, at least to expand the range, which will increase the fire capabilities for hitting remote Ukrainian targets.

If the information turns out to be correct, we will soon see them in action. After all, North Korean ballistic missiles have already been detected during attacks on Kharkov, and Iranian ones have been tested more than once in attacks on Kurds and terrorists in Syria and Iraq, and quite effectively.’

See note[1]


[1] Однако закупка ракетного вооружения у Ирана напрашивалась давно как минимум для расширения ассортимента, который повысит огневые возможности для поражения удаленных украинских объектов.
 
Если информация окажется верной, то в скором времени мы их увидим в деле. Ведь северокорейские баллистические ракеты уже зафиксировали при ударах по Харькову, а иранские не раз обкатывали в атаках по курдам и террористам в Сирии и Ираке, и достаточно эффективно.
Published